Botanical name:

Nestegis apetala

Common name(s):

About:

A coastal tree or shrub, reaching heights of up to 6m, is commonly found in the areas around Whangarei Heads and the Bay of Islands, as well as on various northern offshore islands. This plant features spreading branches that are often twisted in appearance, along with glossy oval leathery leaves that enhance its visual appeal. Additionally, it produces small fruit that resembles olives. Unfortunately, this species is of limited availability, making it somewhat uncommon in its natural habitat.

Natural habitat:

Strictly coastal. Inhabiting coastal forest often along the exposed margins, also on rocky slopes, cliff faces, talus slopes and exposed ridgelines, as well as forming a minor subcanopy in closed forest. Nestegis apetala is often an important component of northern offshore island forests where it co-habits with pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), tawapou (Planchonella costata), coastal mahoe (Melicytus novaezelandiae), Streblus spp. (especially S. banksii), houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii) and whau (Entelea arborescens).

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Salt, Wind & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Norfolk Island and New Zealand’s North Island including northern offshore islands from the Three Kings Islands south to Hauturu (Clark Island), near Whangamata. Nestegis apetala is especially common on the Poor Knights and Motukino (Fanal Island) - on the latter of which it forms a distinct, pure forest type.

Height: 6m

Flowering: 

October-January with a green - yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January-April with a oval, purplish fruit

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed. An attractive though frost-sensitive small tree that makes an excellent specimen tree for a large garden or street avenue. Once established Nestegis apetala is extremely tolerant of drought, strong winds and salt burn. It does well in large tubs and in raised gardens. Plants do best when planted in semi-shade in a position where they can grow into the light but are remarkably tolerant of being planted into full sun. Aside from its cold sensitivity this is an ideal tree for coastal situations and it deserves to be grown more widely than it is

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though