Taraire

Beilschmiedia tarairi

Endemic to NZ

The Tararie trees of the Tangihua forest are found……

Through out the ranges. At present (2021) the are distinctive by the browning of their leaves due to drought

Taraire only occurs in the North Island north of 38°S latitude. It is most common in Northland. It is found through the Tangihua ranges and on the nature trail

Tairarie Description

Taraire is a distinct species. The broad, dark-green leaves with their distinctive depressed veins, and large, erect plum-like dark purple fruits distinguish it from all other indigenous trees and shrubs of New Zealand.

Taraire is one of three endemic Beilschmiedia species in New Zealand. The others are the common canopy tree Ttawa, which has thin willow-like leaves, and the Tawaroa which is similar to tawa, but has broader leaves.

Taraire trees grow up to 22 m in height with a very wide crown. The trunk may be up to 1 m in diameter and has a dark brown smooth bark. Fine reddish-brown hairs densely cover the branchlets, young leaves, leaf stems, and young flower buds.

Flowers and leaves

The dark-green leaves, which are generally between 50 and 72 mm long, and 34 to 48 mm wide, are alternate, leathery, and simple, with depressed veins. The leaf stems are 8 to 12 mm long.

The inflorescence is an erect panicle up to 100 mm long arising from the leaf axils.

Flowering occurs between September and Decemberr. The greenish flowers are 3–5 mm in diameter and often clothed in dense reddish-brown hairs. The fruit is about 30 by 16 mm, dark purple when ripe, and covered in a waxy bloom. It contains one seed. The fruit ripens between March and November, and are a favorite food of the kererū which is the only species which can disperse the large seeds of the taraire, which pass through its gut unharmed.

Significance to Maori

Large berries with strong flavour of turpentine so not popular for eating. Sometimes boiled and eaten. The wood was of little use.