twines up the lowland forest trees
- Size
- Length: 1000 cm
- Lifespan
- 20–40 years
- Diet
- Not applicable as this is a vine. Photosynthetic climber. Absorbs nutrients through roots. Important food source for native insects, particularly moth caterpillars. Flowers provide nectar for bees.
- Habitat
- Lowland forests, forest margins and scrub. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Climbs trees and shrubs using twining stems. Often found in regenerating forest and along forest edges.
- Range
- Throughout New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. Most common in lowland forests and forest margins. Also found on the Chatham Islands. Endemic to New Zealand.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- Habitat loss from land clearance is the primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. No significant commercial use. Climate change affects forest habitats. Protection of lowland forest is critical.
- Population
- Populations are considered stable in remaining forest fragments. The species is common in lowland forests throughout New Zealand. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums.
- Conservation Status
- Not Threatened
- Human Risk
- poisonous
- Handling Note
- sap and berries contain toxic alkaloids, ingestion causes severe illness
- Conservation Note
- Endemic climber; widespread in lowland and montane forests throughout New Zealand.
- Assessment
- NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
- Te Ao Māori
- In Māori tradition, akatea was known for its scented flowers. The name akatea refers to its climbing habit. Atea means open space or clearing. The flowers were sometimes used in garlands. The fluffy seeds were noted for their wind dispersal. The plant had no major traditional uses. But it was recognised as a characteristic forest vine.
Leaves change shape with age. Akatea is a slender, twining vine. Young plants often have narrow, willow-like leaves. Mature plants have broader, oval leaves. This variation led to the species name heterophylla, meaning different leaves. A plant that does not know what it wants to look like.
The stems are slender and flexible. They twine around tree trunks and branches. The small, creamy-white flowers are sweetly scented. This gives the plant its common name, native jasmine. The flowers appear in clusters in spring and summer. They are followed by long, narrow seed pods. These split open to release fluffy, wind-dispersed seeds. The seeds have a tuft of white hairs. This allows them to float on the wind. A plant that travels by air.
Akatea is common in lowland forests and forest margins throughout New Zealand. It is an important food source for native insects. Moth caterpillars feed on the leaves. The flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators. A plant that gives back.
It is versatile. It tolerates shade but grows best in partial light. It is often found in regenerating forest. It climbs over young trees and shrubs. The dense growth provides shelter for birds and insects. Not a showstopper. Just a useful vine.
That is akatea. Twining, variable, and sweet-scented. A plant that changes its mind about its leaves. It travels on the wind. It carries on.