Plant

Puka

Griselinia lucida

Also known as Akapuka, Shining Broadleaf

Perched high in forest canopies as an epiphyte or rooted on coastal cliffs, puka stands out with its exceptionally glossy, leathery green leaves that feature a distinctly asymmetrical base. Its thick, deeply fluted aerial roots cascade down host tree trunks like sculpted wooden ropes until anchoring firmly into the forest floor. In late autumn, female plants produce dark purple to black berries that provide a vital winter food source for native forest birds like the kererū.

EpiphyteEvergreenGlossy Foliage

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Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preySunlight, Water, Atmospheric carbon dioxide

Predators

Brushtail possum
Feral goat
Red deer

ThreatsBrowsing by invasive possums and forest fragmentation

HabitatsLowland rainforests, coastal forest margins, and rocky outcrops

Life span50–100+ years

Classification

FamilyGriseliniaceae
SpeciesGriselinia lucida

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.

Responsible observation

Root observation: Look for the heavily fluted, grooved roots hugging host tree trunks at eye level.
Foliage check: Examine leaf bases, which are characteristically uneven with one side longer than the other.
Garden planting: Grow in well-drained coastal soil or large containers in frost-free microclimates.

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