Red Matipo

Myrcine australis or Mapou in the south

It is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the country and offshore islands.

Red Matipo is found

All over the ranges and in the nature trail. It tends to grow on the edge of a clearing.

Red Matipo  description

Looks like a pittosporum and grows up to 6m

The bark on a mature trunk is grey and on young branches dark red or purple. The leaves crinkled/undulate yellow green to dark green.

it has a very hard wood but rots easily on the ground

Fruit

Red Matipo flowers come directly off the stem and produce small black fruit in summer (popular with birds).

Maori used it for

The wood is very hard and was used as handles, digging sticks or even wooden adzes.

Maori boiled the leaves to make an infusion (tea) for as a general tonic and

• toothache. They also used the leaves as
• relief for arthritic problems,
• a remedy for skin disease,
• intestinal worms and as a general tonic.

because it is a hard wood it makes a good fire.