Meryta sinclairii. pukanui, puka
Meryta sincalirii or more commonly Puka, is a brilliant tropical looking small tree ideal for planting in a variety of places where large leaves and that tropical/subtropical look is required.
It is endemic, meaning it is not native to anywhere else, to the Three Kings Islands. It is thought to have been planted on the Hen and Chicken Islands as well as on on the mainland by Maori. William Colenso apparently found (Metcalf, 1987) found a single plant growing at Whangaruru, a sheltered northern harbour, which was surrounded by high fence and he, Colenso, was not allowed to touch it. It was regarded as tapu and revered by local Maori. It is reputed to have come from the Hen and Chicken Islands.
According to Cheeseman (2 ed post 1906), he states that specimens from a solitary tree planted by Maori at Paparaumu in Whangaruru Harbour were sent to Sir Joseph Hooker. Metcalf (1987) provides more information that Major W G Mair was able to obtain leaf specimens and later still a Mr Robert Mair obtained ripe fruit. It was these specimens given to Dr Sinclair (NZ Second Colonial Secretary and keen Naturalist) and eventually enabled J D Hooker to name and describe the plant. Kirk (1899) called it “one of the rarest trees in the world”.
About 1862 Maori cut down the tree because they resented Pakeha attempts to obtain specimens of it. Shorty afterwards it was found growing wild on the Hen and Chicken Islands and in 1889 Cheeseman found it growing in abundance on the Three Kings Islands.
It is an interesting story of Pakeha finding it and the way Pakeha went about getting specimens when all that had to be done was visit the Hen and Chicken Islands which Maori had reported it had come from.
Today we know that it is endemic to The Three kings Islands and that is does well there. It was introduced into cultivation by Mr Justice Gillies and Mr G B Owen. It became common in Auckland and other northern gardens and has found its way south as gardeners have become more adventurous in locating warmer microclimates so that it probably grows in many places if in the right conditions.
Having said that it thrives in a range of conditions including coastal areas and quite hot sunny dry conditions with winter rain.
Reaching up to 6 metres high, sometimes higher, on a stout trunk it makes a wonderful display. Its leaves are bright green, shiny, long (50cm or more) and broad (25cm or more) with wavy edges and crowded towards to the tips of the branches. Very distinct veins are easily seen.
Flowers are born on upright stems but are rather insignificant. The fruit however is black when ripe and about 12mm long and 5mm wide.
As a garden and landscape tree it should be planted more as it will always generate a conversation. It provides a wonderful sense of subtropical appearance which is enhanced if planted so that one can look down on them.
Other places it is great for is in a conservatory or as an indoor plant in a large open area.
There are some variegated forms available as well.
Meryta sinclairii ‘Moonlight’ has the typical large leaves with the centre of the leaf being variegated with both a creamy yellow and yellow variegation with green margins making very attractive. This particular cultivar has been given many accolades. One drawback it that when in full sun the variegation part of the leaf may burn and look discoloured so the trick is to have it in a partly chaded place away from the full force of the sun.
Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge' has the outside edge of the leaf variegated. This cultivar appears to handle the sun much better but the variegated edge may still get burnt.
Another has a very small variegation near the base of the leaf and moving along the leaf following the midrib to about halfway.
It is endemic, meaning it is not native to anywhere else, to the Three Kings Islands. It is thought to have been planted on the Hen and Chicken Islands as well as on on the mainland by Maori. William Colenso apparently found (Metcalf, 1987) found a single plant growing at Whangaruru, a sheltered northern harbour, which was surrounded by high fence and he, Colenso, was not allowed to touch it. It was regarded as tapu and revered by local Maori. It is reputed to have come from the Hen and Chicken Islands.
According to Cheeseman (2 ed post 1906), he states that specimens from a solitary tree planted by Maori at Paparaumu in Whangaruru Harbour were sent to Sir Joseph Hooker. Metcalf (1987) provides more information that Major W G Mair was able to obtain leaf specimens and later still a Mr Robert Mair obtained ripe fruit. It was these specimens given to Dr Sinclair (NZ Second Colonial Secretary and keen Naturalist) and eventually enabled J D Hooker to name and describe the plant. Kirk (1899) called it “one of the rarest trees in the world”.
About 1862 Maori cut down the tree because they resented Pakeha attempts to obtain specimens of it. Shorty afterwards it was found growing wild on the Hen and Chicken Islands and in 1889 Cheeseman found it growing in abundance on the Three Kings Islands.
It is an interesting story of Pakeha finding it and the way Pakeha went about getting specimens when all that had to be done was visit the Hen and Chicken Islands which Maori had reported it had come from.
Today we know that it is endemic to The Three kings Islands and that is does well there. It was introduced into cultivation by Mr Justice Gillies and Mr G B Owen. It became common in Auckland and other northern gardens and has found its way south as gardeners have become more adventurous in locating warmer microclimates so that it probably grows in many places if in the right conditions.
Having said that it thrives in a range of conditions including coastal areas and quite hot sunny dry conditions with winter rain.
Reaching up to 6 metres high, sometimes higher, on a stout trunk it makes a wonderful display. Its leaves are bright green, shiny, long (50cm or more) and broad (25cm or more) with wavy edges and crowded towards to the tips of the branches. Very distinct veins are easily seen.
Flowers are born on upright stems but are rather insignificant. The fruit however is black when ripe and about 12mm long and 5mm wide.
As a garden and landscape tree it should be planted more as it will always generate a conversation. It provides a wonderful sense of subtropical appearance which is enhanced if planted so that one can look down on them.
Other places it is great for is in a conservatory or as an indoor plant in a large open area.
There are some variegated forms available as well.
Meryta sinclairii ‘Moonlight’ has the typical large leaves with the centre of the leaf being variegated with both a creamy yellow and yellow variegation with green margins making very attractive. This particular cultivar has been given many accolades. One drawback it that when in full sun the variegation part of the leaf may burn and look discoloured so the trick is to have it in a partly chaded place away from the full force of the sun.
Meryta sinclairii 'Cream Edge' has the outside edge of the leaf variegated. This cultivar appears to handle the sun much better but the variegated edge may still get burnt.
Another has a very small variegation near the base of the leaf and moving along the leaf following the midrib to about halfway.