Endemic. Found throughout Aotearoa, though uncommon north of Auckland. An attractive small tree of slender habit with a divaricating juvenile form maturing to a glossy larger-leaved adult up to 10m. In an open habitat Kaikomako will reach 2-3m before making an abrupt change to adult form.
The dense tangled shrub with zig-zagging branches bears small eaves with 3-4 large lobes at the tip resembling a duck’s foot. As with many of our native juvenile leaves are distinctly different to adult leaves although the lobes are still present. The elegant adult tree forms one predominate stem growing upwards, developing leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers. The panicles of creamy white flowers almost obscure the foliage when the tree is in full flower (November - February). Black fruit from January to April is very attractive to birds, especially bell birds. The traditional wood used by Maori to start a fire. Very hardy and shade tolerant.
