Now a staple of the modern garden, in the wild kāpuka (also known as broadleaf or pāpāuma) often starts life as an epiphyte on a host tree or fallen log.
Kāpukais a versatile garden plant as it grows in a wide range of conditions and soils and its glossy evergreen foliage canbe trimmed to a range of shapes.
In the native forest it is found from the coast through to areas up to 1000m above sea level, and while coastal conditionstends to limit growth, further inland they can grow to 20m tall.
The thick green leaves are smooth and shiny, with a wavy edge. They are loved by grazing animals and possums.
Clusters of small white flowers appear in spring, attracting honey bees and nectar feeding birds.
Kāpuka'stiny black berries are bitter, but edible.