Makomako

Taken on the side of the road going to the lodge

Makomako, Wine berry, Aristolia Serrata,

Common throughout New Zealand in damp disturbed forest margins and river edges

Makomako in the Tangihua forest are found…

Makomako are common through out New Zealand, and can be seen on the lodge road as part of the nature trail.

Makomako (Wineberry) Description.

Makomako is a shrub growing to 10m. It lives on the forest margins in damper areas often river banks.

The leaves which are green on top and bronze underneath are large with zigzag edges.The bark of branchlets are green or red in colour, darkening with age.

Flowers and seeds

Makomako have male and female flowers on separate plants,(dioecious). The small rose coloured flowers come out in September to December

The Berries are dark red to black, 5mm wide and edible They contain 8 seeds and the fruit ripens January to February and are dispersed by birds

Forest Role

Produces food for birds

Threats and conservation

Possums like the berries and leaves, goats are also a problem for young trees

Maori usage

Maori ate the berries, which were also squeezed and strained to make a sweet drink.
European settlers made jam and jellies and also produced a very good wine from the berries Infusions from the bark and leaves were used to treat a burn, boils, sore eyes and rheumatic pains.