Coriaria arborea var. kermadecensis
Poisonous plant
Common name
Kermadec tutu
Synonyms
None
Family
Coriariaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
CORAVK
Chromosome number
2n = 40
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: IE, OL
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: IE
2004 | Range Restricted
Brief description
Common robust much branched large shrub inhabiting disturbed areas on the Kermadec Islands. Twigs square in cross-section, bearing pairs of 45-55mm long glossy green oval leaves that do not have a leaf stalk. Flowers in drooping spikes up to 15cm long.
Distribution
Endemic. Kermadec Island group, Raoul Island only
Habitat
Widespread in open seral habitats and disturbed ground.
Flowering
Throughout the year
Fruiting
Throughout the year
Propagation technique
Easily grown fresh fresh seed and suckers. Fast growing but cold sensitive. Plants are a much lighter green than C. arborea R.Linds. var. arborea.
Threats
Not Threatened. Listed because it is a narrow range endemic abundant within its only known habitat.
Etymology
coriaria: From the Latin corium ‘hide’, possibly from the use of some species for tanning leather
arborea: From the Latin arbor ‘tree’, meaning tree-like
kermadecensis: From the Kermadec Islands
Poisonous plant
All Coriaria species are poisonous especially the seed inside the black berries. Click on this link for more information about Poisonous native plants.
Cultural Use/Importance
Very doubtfully distinct from C. arborea var. arborea - plants sourced from Raoul Island held in cultivation in New Zealand are virtually indistinguishable from var. arborea (they have a lighter green coloured leaf).