Putaputaweta

Putaputaweta is a small tree found in damp boggy places and stream banks but does not cope well with it's leaves and branches under water for prolonged periods. Putaputaweta is a common small tree in the Waikato River delta, along streams and in gullies. The flowers appear in spring and the dark red black berries are ripe about 18 months later. This means that there is an overlap between fruit of different seasons so care is required to ensure that only the ripe fruit is picked for seed. Seedlings a suitable size for planting out will be ready two years after sowing the seed. I have been collecting seed as it ripens through may and I expect June.

Wayne

This newsletter has emerged as a response to interest expressed from a number of people about the fruiting times, fruit variety and propagation of the native plants of the Waikato. It has been provided by Ecosourced Waikato out of a concern that the distinctive character of the Waikato flora be protected and appreciated by the wider community