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Laurelia novae-zealandiae

Common name:	Pukatea	Family:	Atherospermataceae
Author:	A.Cunn.	Botanical references:	44, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	New Zealand.
Habitat:	Lowland semi-swamp and gully forests in North and South Islands, south to latitude 46°s[44].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	L. nova-zealandiae[G] L. novae-zelandiae[HORTIPLEX] L. novae1zealandiae[E]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	nova = new;
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	New Zealand

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen tree growing to 10m. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Secondary, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Analgesic; Odontalgic.

Analgesic, odontalgic[153].

Other Uses

Wood.

The multi-coloured wood is used in furniture making and to build boats, for it does not easily split[245].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in sun or semi-shade in any moderately fertile soil, including a limey soil, so long as it does not dry out in the growing season[200]. Another report says that it requires an acid, well-drained soil and does well in the semi-shade of a sheltered woodland[245]. Requires a warm position sheltered from cold winds[200].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[200], it succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[1].
The leaves are aromatic[245].

Propagation

Seed - sow February or March in a warm greenhouse. Germination rates are variable[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in sandy soil in a frame. Keep them moist. Fair percentage[78].
Layering in spring[78].

Scent

Leaves: Crushed: The leaves are aromatic.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

References for Laurelia nova-zealandiae (a possible synonym).

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.

References for Laurelia novae-zelandiae (a possible synonym).

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Laurelia novae1zealandiae (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[44] Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961
The standard work, in 3 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[153] Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991 ISBN 0-19-558229-2
An interesting and readable book on the useful plants of New Zealand.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

Laurelia novae-zealandiae

david nicholls (davidn@xtra.co.nz) Sat Sep 30 09:10:39 2000

Apparantly the analgesic activity in the bark is strong similar to morphine,but without after effects, the alkaloid responsible is pukateine.

It is strange that something comparable to morphine with out after-effects has not been exploited,almost all the research seems to predate 1930.

It was used for toothache and neuralgia. (NZ medicinal Plants-Brooker, Cambie, Cooper (this book seems to be written for researchers and does not recommend anything). I've not tried the bark but probably will if my tooth gets any worse. Extensive experimentation by amateurs with the raw product would probably be foolhardy.

The wood has also been used for carving by Maori.

I've planted only one in boggy soil, it did very poorly almost dead(fairly rare for me), possibly wind or competition from grass, cause unknown.

Laurelia novae-zealandiae

david (davidni@xtra.co.nz) Sun Oct 8 09:17:38 2000

since adding this I've read what( I think) is the original comparison with morphine, it appears to refer only to external application to the skin, there is also a reference to small animals being killed by ingesting the bark. Although no humans have been known to be affected this seems a good reason to be weary, even if it was taken internally in decoction for V.D..

Ref;Maori healing and Herbal 1994 Murdoch Riley. This book mainly presents historical notes on plants without assessing them, it does not recomend anything, it has beautiful photos.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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