There are two things commonly called Puka in NZ - one is Meryta sinclairii which grows into quite a sizable tree under the right conditions. It has large paddle shaped foliage (a bit like a rubber plant) and has a tropical appearance. The other is griselinia lucida which also can grow into a sizable tree but is a forest dweller and in the wild, will start life off as an epiphyte, living off the host tree until it reaches the ground and will establish its own root system. It. too has large, oval leaves (of unequal sides) is extremely glossy and dark green in colour and it, too has a tropical appearance. Unfortunately, both are very frost tender.
white_elephant,
Oct 22, 6:40pm
Thanks for your help piquant, what I am calling Puka is Meryta sinclairii, I have one in a pot and love it so much I wanted to plant another in my Petone garden. I think I will give it a go. I have done well with Griselinia's so even though I lose some frost tender plants some can handle it. I love your description of Griselinia lucida.
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