- Laurelia novae-zelandiae
taxobox
status = LR/lc
regnum =Plant ae
unranked_divisio =Angiosperm s
unranked_classis =Magnoliid s
ordo =Laurales
familia =Atherospermataceae
genus = "Laurelia "
species = "L. novae-zelandiae"
binomial = "Laurelia novae-zelandiae"
binomial_authority = |"Laurelia novae-zelandiae" (also called Pukatea) is a large
evergreen tree , endemic to the forests ofNew Zealand .Distribution
Pukatea grows throughout the
North Island of New Zealand, and the northern third of theSouth Island . It often grows in damp low-land forests, especially gullies.Description
Pukatea can grow to a height of 40 m and is the only New Zealand native tree developing large plank-buttresses. Its dark green, elliptic leaves are 5-7 cm long and coarsely toothed.
Uses
Historically, the light, but tough timber of pukatea has been used for boat building. An extract from the bark containing the
alkaloid pukateine is used in traditionalMaori herbal medicine as ananalgesic . [ [http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/UsesOfTheBush/PlantExtracts/1/ENZ-Resources/Standard/1/en Pukatea. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand] ] [ [http://pharmacy.otago.ac.nz/rongoa/pages/pukatea.htm Pukatea. University of Otago Pharmacy Dept.] ]References
* [http://www.teara.govt.nz/ENZ-Utility/Search/en?q=pukatea "Te ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand" - Search on Pukatea]
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