Common Name: Makomako

General Information

Aristotelia serrata is a deciduous tree with a much-branched crown; it can grow up to 10 metres tall[]. The bole can be up to 30cm in diameter.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens and can be used as a pioneer species to restore native woodland and reclaim mine tips etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands

Habitat

Forest and scrub from lowland to montane areas[, ]. Often occurs on the edges of the forest and other places where there is plenty of light; at elevations from sea level to 1,050 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are not very hardy, tolerating occasional short-lived temperatures down to around -10°c[]. 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[].
Prefers a slightly acid, moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold drying winds[]. Plants grow best in light shade[]. It will grow well in most soils, except those that are very poorly drained, or particularly drought prone[].
The plant grows well in light woodland[].
A fast-growing tree, but short-lived species, usually dying out after 10 - 15 years[, ].
Plants do not really require pruning[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A delicious taste[] Popular with children[].It can be eaten raw, used to make jams, or made into wine[]. The fruit can be squeezed to get a thick fluid, which makes a nice sweetish drink[]. The dark red to black fruit is about 7mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

Antirheumatic, ophthalmic, poultice[]. The plant was used by the Maori to treat burns, boils, sore eyes and rheumatic pains[].

A decoction of the bark is used as bath to ease rheumatism[]. The bark is soaked in cold water and used as a wash for sore eyes[]

The leaves are used as a poultice or an infusion is used as a wash or bath to treat a range of complaints including burns, boils, sore eyes and rheumatism[].

Agroforestry Uses:

In its native New Zealand, this is one of the first plants to colonize areas of cleared woodland or waste ground[].
Plants are used for erosion control in gullies and on steep slopes[].
A fast growing tree, it could be used for the restoration of mining sites etc[].

Other Uses

The bark contains tannins. It is bruised and steeped in water to make a blue-black dye[, ]

The bark can be used to make small water vessels[].

The wood is used in cabinet making, turnery, inlay etc[, ]. It could be of interest to the pulp and paper industry[]
The wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal[, ].

Propagation

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, mid summer 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[].