Pukatea

Laurelia novae-zelandiae, known as pukatea, is a large evergreen tree endemic to the forests of New Zealand, in the family Atherospermataceae. It grows slowly in damp lowland forest, gullies and stream edges on the North Island and the northern third of the South Island. It is the only New Zealand native tree with large plank buttresses, and in waterlogged ground it develops breathing roots called pneumatophores. The bark is thin and pale brownish-grey, and the glossy dark green leaves have coarsely serrated edges. The name pukatea is a Polynesian word applied to many plants. The tree is used in rongoā, traditional Māori medicine, as an analgesic, because the bark holds the alkaloid pukateine. The pulp of the cambium was boiled in water and the liquid used for treating tuberculosis. Hollows in the trunks were used as burial trees. Māori carved the timber into canoe figureheads, bowls, clubs and paddles, and early European settlers used the pale, strong, soft wood for boat building.