Aristotelia serrata

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

Aristotelia serrata is a deciduous Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 7.5

Where it is found

Forest and scrub from lowland to montane areas in North, South and Stewart Islands.

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. A delicious taste. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Antirheumatic, ophthalmic, poultice.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Other

Rating:

Yields a blue/black dye. No further details are given. The wood is used in cabinet making, turnery, inlay etc as well as for making charcoal.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Prefers a slightly acid, moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold drying winds. Plants grow best in light shade. Plants are only hardy in the milder and moister areas of Britain, growing well in light woodland. If cut back in severe winters they will often resprout from the sturdier branches. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun. In its native New Zealand, this is one of the first plants to colonize areas of cleared woodland or waste ground. Plants do not really require pruning. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are at least 20cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth in early winter. Take cuttings 15 - 30cm long and plant them in pots or the open soil in a greenhouse. They normally root very easily and can be potted up in early summer then planted out late the following spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

A. racemosa. Dicera serrata.