Native Plant Identification
Over 441,000 plants have been eco-sourced from the island and propagated within the island nursery and planted since 2003 by many volunteers from corporate, schools, special interest groups and many individuals. This is a tremendous effort - to all those volunteers who have taken part in the planting process, whether it be in the nursery sowing seeds, pricking out seedlings or out in the fields in sometimes atrocious weather conditions or under beautiful skies, THANK YOU. This beautiful gem of an island is flourishing. Motuihe was always a great place to visit, however it has become a true treasure in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf whether you are a pleasure-boat owner, interested in conservation, ornithology, botany, geology or an explorer of fabulous beaches and bush.
To assist you in your island exploration, below is a list of native plants that have either been propagated on the island or are part of the existing remnant of native bush. Follow the 'Common Name link' for plant description, fruit & flowers, pests/diseases and uses for each plant.
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Akeake | (Dodonaea viscosa) | Akeake |
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Astelia | (Astelia Banksia) | Kowharawhara |
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Bush Lawyer | (Rubus cissoides) | Tātarāmoa |
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Cabbage Tree | (Cordyline australis) | Ti kouka |
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Flax | (Phormium tenax) | Harakeke |
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Coastal Five Finger | (Pseudopanax lessonii) | Houpara |
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Kahikatea (White Pine) | (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) | Kahikatea |
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Kakabeak | (Clianthus puniceus) | Kowhai ngutu-kaka |
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Kanuka (Tea Tree) | (Kunzea ericoides) | Kanuka |
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Karaka | (Corynocarpus laevigatus) | Karaka |
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Karamu | (Coprosma robusta) | Karamu |
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Karo | (Pittosporum crassifolium) | Karo |
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Kauri (Image courtesy of DOC) | (Agathis australis) | Kauri |
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Kawakawa (Pepper Tree) | (Macropiper excelsum) | Kawakawa |
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Kohekohe | (Dysoxylum spectibile) | Kohekohe |
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Koromiko | (Hebe stricta) | Koromiko |
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Kowhai | (Sophora chathamica) | Kowhai |
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Mahoe (Whiteywood) | (Melicytus ramiflorus) | Mahoe |
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Manuka (Tea tree) | (Leptospermum scoparium) | Manuka |
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Mapou (Red Matipo) | (Myrsine australis) | Mapou |
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Ngaio | (Myoporum lactum) | Ngaio |
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Nikau Palm | (Rhopalostylis sapida) | Nikau |
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Pigeonwood | (Hedycarya arborea) | Porokaiwhiri |
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Poroporo | (Solanum laciniatum) | Poroporo |
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Puriri | (Vitex lucens) | Puriri |
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Rewarewa (NZ Honeysuckle) | (Knightia excelsa) | Rewarewa |
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Shore Spurge | (Euphorbia glauca) | Waiuatua |
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Taraire | (Beilschmiedia tarairi) | Taraire |
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Taupata | (Coprosma repens) | Taupata |
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Tawapou | (Pouteria costata) | Tawapou |
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Titoki | (Alectryon excelsus) | Titoki |
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ToeToe | (Austroderia species) Syn ( Cortaderia species) | ToeToe |
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Totara | (Podocarpus totara) | Totara |
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Wharangi | (Melicope ternata) | Wharangi |
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Whau | (Entelea arborescens) | Whau |
