25m. – flowers November / December – a tall erect forest tree which develops buttress roots as it grows old. Light yellow-green foliage. The white wood is straight grained but soft – used by the Maori people for making long bird spears and medicinal uses. 

Today used for papermaking, floors, paneling and furnishing. Same family as Bay tree (laurel). The fruit (plums) was soaked and pulped to use as food by the Maori people.

Fruits March / April – a favorite food of the native pigeon.