Fauna
Plant

Black Beech

Nothofagus solandri

Also known as Tāwhai Pauriki, Black Beech Tree

Black beech forms dominant canopy forests across New Zealand drier eastern hill country and montane valleys, recognized by its small, smooth-edged dark leaves and black-soot bark. The distinctive dark coating on the trunk stems from a soot mold that feeds on honeydew excreted by native scale insects in the bark. During periodic mast years, these trees produce massive seed crops that drive local ecosystem dynamics and feed native birds.

EvergreenEndemicTree
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Brushtail Possum
  • Red Deer
  • Beech Scale Insect
ThreatsInvasive herbivores, forest clearing, extreme drought
HabitatsLowland and montane forests
Life span150–300 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNothofagaceae
  2. SpeciesNothofagus solandri
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting Honeydew Drops: Look for fine sugary threads dangling from the black soot covered bark.
  • Identifying Leaves: Check for small oval dark green leaves with untoothed rolled edges.
Related species
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