7m. Shrub or small tree with spreading branches.  Found from sea level to 550m in coastal and lowland scrub.

The wood is black, with streaks of white and is very hard.  It was used by the maori people for making clubs.  The bark is a reddish brown, papery and flakes from the trunk.

Useful as a shelter plant especially in exposed conditions.

The fruit is a compressed capsule about 15mm across.  Male and female flowers are quite different, the female being elongated with two prongs and no stamens, the male flowers have 8-10 anthers on very short filaments.

 
Photography by Peter Craw © - male pannicle