Botanical name:

Nestegis montana

Common name(s):

Oro-oro, narrow-leaved maire

About:

Despite its specific name, N. montana is commonly found in lowland forests throughout the North Island and also in the region of Nelson in the South Island. This species features narrower leaves compared to those of N. lanceolata and typically grows slightly smaller in size, reaching heights of approximately 3 to 5 m.

Natural habitat:

Widespread though rarely abundant in coastal to montane forest. Often found on steep hill slopes and ridge lines but also can be locally common in riparian forest especially on the margins of forest flats and tomo or dolines in karst country. Narrow-leaved maire is unusually common on the sand country of the Pouto Peninsula where it can at times dominate local coastal forest 

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands from near Kaitaia south to the Waimea Plain Nelson. Scarce in the southern North Island (where it is most common in the eastern Wairarapa) and very uncommon in the South Island).

Height: 5m

Flowering: 

November - January with a cream coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December - May with a red fruit

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed. An attractive small tree that makes an excellent specimen tree for a large garden or street avenue. Once established Nestegis montana is extremely tolerant of drought and frost. However, plants do best when planted in semi-shade in a position where they can grow into the light but they are remarkably tolerant of being planted into full sun. This tree deserves to be grown more widely than it is. However, it is rarely available from plant nurseries, even those that specialize in native plants.

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