Karo

Scientific name: Pittosporum crassifolium

Tree, shrub
Not native to Wellington

About Karo

Karo out-competes slow growing coastal plants on open cliff sides, slopes and dunes. It is changing the structure and composition of our native plant community.

Endemic to the northern North Island, karo has spread aggressively throughout coastal areas in the Wellington region and the Miramar peninsula. Many people intentionally plant karo in their garden, and in the past it was planted for re-vegetation on Matiu/Somes Island where the ‘karobusters’ are now working actively to exterminate this serious weed.

Karo is spread widely by birds.