Puriri

Health properties

Traditional topical uses: bark and leaves applied as poultices or washes for cuts, sores, and skin complaints.

Anti-inflammatory/analgesic: used to ease aches, sprains, and rheumatic pain when applied externally.

Antiseptic: reputed mild antiseptic properties in folk preparations for wound care.

General tonic: infusions of leaves occasionally used as supportive remedies for general weakness or fatigue in some traditions.

Cautions: limited scientific study on internal use; avoid unsupervised ingestion and consult a practitioner, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or with medical conditions.

Traditional use

Rongoā Māori: used by Māori for topical treatments—bark and leaves prepared as poultices, washes, or heated applications for wounds, skin infections, and musculoskeletal pain.

Practical applications: fresh crushed leaves or heated bark pieces applied to affected areas; use followed customary harvesting protocols and respect for the tree.

Cultural significance: valued as a taonga (treasured species) within forest resources and incorporated into local medicinal knowledge.

Physical properties

Form: large, evergreen native tree of New Zealand forests.

Leaves: large, glossy, bright green, usually simple or with a few leaflets; leathery texture.

Flowers: clusters of tubular white to pale cream flowers, often fragrant, appearing in summer and attractive to birds (nectar source).

Fruit: small fleshy drupes that mature purple-black; eaten by birds and contribute to seed dispersal.

Bark/wood: stout trunk with relatively smooth bark; timber is dense and historically valued for carving and construction.

Habitat: common in lowland and coastal forests and forest remnants, preferring rich, well-drained soils; important component of native forest ecosystems.

Growth: long-lived canopy tree providing habitat and food for native fauna.