Endemic. New Zealand’s tallest indigenous plant growing up to 65m with an annual growth rate from 10-70 cm height and 8-108 mm diameter. Kahikatea seedlings require high levels of sunlight to grow and prefer a damp area.
Found in lowland areas throughout Aotearoa it will grow in poorly drained alluvial soils. Distinguished by a columnar growth form, buttressed or fluted trunk bases, scale-like leaves, and terminal fruits bearing distinctive circular seeds. The orange – red berries are prolific providing a significant food source for native birds and were traditionally also eaten by humans.
