Elaeocarpus hookerianus. Pōkākā
Elaeocarpus hookerianus. Pōkākā
Alan Jolliffe
This lovely tree has been overlooked for too long.
Brother/sister to Hinau, Elaeocarpus dentatus var dentatus, which has received all the publicity and has been written about everywhere.
Metcalf (1987) does not rate this tree highly which I think was a mistake. Wall (1953) records it growing in Riccarton Bush. Molloy (1995) notes that “it is of next importance to the kahikatea the most dominate tree in Riccarton Bush. It is plentiful and grows vigorously among the conifers... it does not reach the so high... [and] t is conspicuous because of its rounded heads of fresh green foliage”. Burstall (1984) records a large notable tree in Dennistoun Bush, Peel Forest Park, Geraldine. Other authors provide scant description.
Part of the problem pōkākā has not received favourable comments is that it is constantly compared with hinau. While botanically this may be the case take pōkākā way from hinau and look at it in its own right it is a great flowering tree.
Possibly its main drawback in this comparison is that it goes through a juvenile phase however in open areas it soon grows out of this. A great example is the one growing in Travis Wetland on the track to the bird hide and it is labelled.
INaturalist observations show it is not widely growing or planted on Bank Peninsula or Christchurch. 8 iNaturalist records on Banks Peninsula, 18 records Christchurch City and quite a few on the nearby lower slopes of the hills from Mt Grey in the North to Staveley in the south. It is endemic to New Zealand and grows in the North, South and Stewart Islands but is uncommon from Auckland north. It is a common tree of native lowland forests and can be found in montane forests.
Overall it is a small to medium sized tree with its mature leaves up to 10cm long and 3 cm wide. Juvenile leaves of various sizes and shapes are on zig zag or divaricating round branchlets which are nicely veined. While it grows in forests it is know to be quite drought tolerant.
Flowering from October to January it produces abundant sprays of creamy white, drooping, bell shaped, pretty flowers with many incisions around the edge giving a lacy effect. The stamen and anthers are quite prominent as well when viewed from below.
After flowering large green fruit are produced which turn purple when ripe. The only bird I can envisage eating these is the keruru.
Propagation is from fruit which can be slow to germinate but well worth the wait and growing on ready for planting.
Its botanical name elaeocarpus refers to its resemblance to Olive fruit. Its specific name hookerianus is after Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), son of Sir William Hooker the first Director of Kew. He was a world famous botanist who travelled on the Antarctic expedition of 1839 under the command of Sir James Ross and wrote “Handbook of New Zealand Flora” published in 1864-67 describing many specimens sent to Kew by collectors. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker followed his father as the second Director of Kew.
Like the hinau, pōkākā needs to be planted more in and around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. It is hardy, drought resistant and a beautiful tree when in flower.
References
Metcalf, L.J. (1987). The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs. Reed Methuen. Auckland.
Wall. A (1953). The botany of Christchurch. AH & AW Reed. Wellington
Molloy. B., Ed. (1995). Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu. Riccarton Bush Trust. Christchurch.
Burstall S.W., Sale S.V. (1984). Great trees of New Zealand. AH & AW Reed. Wellington
Alan Jolliffe
This lovely tree has been overlooked for too long.
Brother/sister to Hinau, Elaeocarpus dentatus var dentatus, which has received all the publicity and has been written about everywhere.
Metcalf (1987) does not rate this tree highly which I think was a mistake. Wall (1953) records it growing in Riccarton Bush. Molloy (1995) notes that “it is of next importance to the kahikatea the most dominate tree in Riccarton Bush. It is plentiful and grows vigorously among the conifers... it does not reach the so high... [and] t is conspicuous because of its rounded heads of fresh green foliage”. Burstall (1984) records a large notable tree in Dennistoun Bush, Peel Forest Park, Geraldine. Other authors provide scant description.
Part of the problem pōkākā has not received favourable comments is that it is constantly compared with hinau. While botanically this may be the case take pōkākā way from hinau and look at it in its own right it is a great flowering tree.
Possibly its main drawback in this comparison is that it goes through a juvenile phase however in open areas it soon grows out of this. A great example is the one growing in Travis Wetland on the track to the bird hide and it is labelled.
INaturalist observations show it is not widely growing or planted on Bank Peninsula or Christchurch. 8 iNaturalist records on Banks Peninsula, 18 records Christchurch City and quite a few on the nearby lower slopes of the hills from Mt Grey in the North to Staveley in the south. It is endemic to New Zealand and grows in the North, South and Stewart Islands but is uncommon from Auckland north. It is a common tree of native lowland forests and can be found in montane forests.
Overall it is a small to medium sized tree with its mature leaves up to 10cm long and 3 cm wide. Juvenile leaves of various sizes and shapes are on zig zag or divaricating round branchlets which are nicely veined. While it grows in forests it is know to be quite drought tolerant.
Flowering from October to January it produces abundant sprays of creamy white, drooping, bell shaped, pretty flowers with many incisions around the edge giving a lacy effect. The stamen and anthers are quite prominent as well when viewed from below.
After flowering large green fruit are produced which turn purple when ripe. The only bird I can envisage eating these is the keruru.
Propagation is from fruit which can be slow to germinate but well worth the wait and growing on ready for planting.
Its botanical name elaeocarpus refers to its resemblance to Olive fruit. Its specific name hookerianus is after Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), son of Sir William Hooker the first Director of Kew. He was a world famous botanist who travelled on the Antarctic expedition of 1839 under the command of Sir James Ross and wrote “Handbook of New Zealand Flora” published in 1864-67 describing many specimens sent to Kew by collectors. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker followed his father as the second Director of Kew.
Like the hinau, pōkākā needs to be planted more in and around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. It is hardy, drought resistant and a beautiful tree when in flower.
References
Metcalf, L.J. (1987). The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs. Reed Methuen. Auckland.
Wall. A (1953). The botany of Christchurch. AH & AW Reed. Wellington
Molloy. B., Ed. (1995). Riccarton Bush: Putaringamotu. Riccarton Bush Trust. Christchurch.
Burstall S.W., Sale S.V. (1984). Great trees of New Zealand. AH & AW Reed. Wellington