Botanical name:

Toronia toru

Common name(s):

Toru, toro, toto, mihimihi

About:

A densely branched bush or small tree, this plant features long, narrow, dark green leaves that have a leathery texture and are pointed at the tip. The young branches, along with the tender leaves, are adorned with a fine covering of delicate hairs, enhancing their distinctive appearance. This species is typically found in the upper half of the North Island, where it thrives in its natural habitat.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane regions primarily on poor soils, found in open shrubland (particularly gumland), early successional forest, and along ridge lines and slip scars within kauri (Agathis australis) and/or tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) dominated forests. It is commonly found in areas with silicic igneous rocks, such as rhyolite, ignimbrite, and pumice.

Growing environment:

Sun, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North Island from Te Paki south to the mouth of the Waihaha River, on the western side of Lake Taupo. However south of Auckland, toru is mostly found in the east from the Coromandel throughout the Bay of Plenty to about Atiamuri. In the western Waikato it is known locally from the northern end of the Aotea Harbour, near Kawhia (Rakaunui), Te Kauri and Whenuapo in the Taumatatotara Range.

Height: 10m

Flowering: 

September – January with a yellowish or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

October – May with a dark purple fruit.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown in a warm, sunny site. Once established toru is a very attractive small tree. As is typical of other members of the family it does best in infertile soils and should never have any phosphate containing fertilisers applied to it. Toru is said to be frost-sensitive.

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