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Common Name: Kapuka

General Information

Griselinia littoralis is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands.

Habitat

Lowland to montane forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich light loam in sun or semi-shade[]. Tolerates chalky soils[]. Plants are very tolerant of strong maritime winds[] but they can be damaged by cold dry winds.
Tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c, this species is somewhat tender in most parts of Britain[] though it usually regrows if cut back by frost[]. The young shoots in spring are often cut back by late frosts[].
Very tolerant of root disturbance, it transplants well even when quite large though it would then require staking at first when growing in exposed positions[].
A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[, ].
Plants in the wild live for a hundred years or more[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required. It self-sows abundantly in the milder areas of Britain if both sexes are grown[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - a bitter flavour[]. The small fruits were used by the Maoris in times of shortage[].

Medicinal

The Maori used the inner bark as a remedy for certain types of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases[].

Other Uses

Grows well by the sea, making a good hedge that tolerates maritime exposure[, , ]. Plants are very amenable to trimming[], they are best cut in early summer[] and can be cut right back into old wood if required. A slow-growing plant, but it makes a nice dense hedge[].
Wood - the red timber is very durable, firm, strong, dense but slightly brittle. Used for ship building, railway sleepers, fence posts etc[, , , ]. The main problem with using this wood is the difficulty of finding long enough sections of straight trunk[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse. It can also be sown in the spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts and give some protection for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Keep the foliage moist. Pot up in August and overwinter in a sheltered position, planting out in late spring after the last expected frosts[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 7 - 10 cm with a heel, autumn in a frame. High percentage[].