Plant
Kōhūhū
Pittosporum tenuifoliumAlso known as Black Matipo, Kohukohu, Tawhiwhi
Kōhūhū stands out in the New Zealand bush with its distinctive charcoal-black twigs and crinkled, pale green leaves that shimmer in coastal breezes. Its subtle, nearly black blossoms open in spring to emit a sweet, honeyed scent strictly after nightfall to lure nocturnal moths. Acting as a fast-growing pioneer plant, it quickly colonizes clearings and sheltered margins, creating vital nurse canopies for slower-growing canopy trees.
EvergreenNight-scentedPioneer Plant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhotosynthesis
Predators
- Common brushtail possum
- Feral goat
- Red deer
ThreatsBrowsing by invasive mammalian herbivores like possums, goats, and deer
HabitatsLowland forests, forest margins, coastal scrub, and regenerating shrublands
Life span30–60 years
Classification
- OrderApiales
- FamilyPittosporaceae
- GenusPittosporum
- SpeciesPittosporum tenuifolium
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Scent detection: Visit flowering plants after dusk in spring to catch the rich night fragrance.
- Foliage check: Look for distinctively dark, nearly black twigs beneath wavy-edged leaves.
Seed Disperser (c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
Pollinator (c) Possums' End, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Possums' End · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Colin Meurk, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Colin Meurk · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Jenny Christianson · cc0
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