Hinau

Scientific name: Elaeocarpus dentatus
Other names: Whinau

Tree (over 15m) - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: damp, dry, partial shade, sunny, shelter, coastal forest garden, wetlands and water features

About Hinau

A grand canopy tree up to 15-20 metres tall or less, with a broad spreading crown and broad grey trunk up to 60cm in diameter. Thin leaves, 10-12cm long and 2-3cm wide, with a sharp tip, with small teeth along margins. Juvenile leaves slight narrower. Delicate creamy white flowers with a picotee edge occur in October to February, followed by a purple blue oval, olive looking fruit from January to June. The fleshy fruit is popular with kereru and kaka and other native birds and was also prepared and eaten by Maori.

Easy to grow in most soils, light and moisture regimes. However, does best in a deep, moist, well mulched soil.

Provides for birds