Turner’s kohuhu Pittosporum turneri

Key Features

Turner’s kohuhu has a different form depending on its growth stage.
Young plants are cylindrical shrubs up to 2 m tall with dark grey bark, interlacing, zig-zagging branches and small (0.5-2 cm long), oblong, glossy, leathery leaves of varying shape and colour.
As plants grow older, the foliage gradually changes, with straplike leaves becoming longer (3-5 cm) and up to 1 cm wide, with smooth or slightly wavy margins.
Adult trees are up to 7 m tall with a spreading canopy, and have small, creamy red flowers on female trees.

Central North Island, from southern Pureora across the Volcanic Plateau to northwest Ruahine Range.
Forest margins on alluvial sites, typically streamsides and frost hollows.

Habitat modification and loss, due to land development or succession to tall forest.
Highly susceptible to possum browse.
Lack of birds to disperse fruit.

Mark known sites.
Survey for new locations.
Protection of habitat.
Possum control by poisoning or trapping.
Reintroduce to appropriate sites.
Encourage birdlife.
Ensure that forest owners are aware of potential habitats and can recognise the species.

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
Possum control - Department of Conservation, Regional Councils.
References:
- Dopson et al. (1999). The conservation requirements of New Zealand’s nationally threatened vascular plants. Threatened Species Occasional Publication 13. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
- Wilson & Galloway (1993). Small-leaved shrubs of New Zealand. Manuka Press, Christchurch.
- Peter de Lange, Peter Heenan, David Norton, Jeremy Rolfe and John Sawyer (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 472 pp.