kareao supplejack vine that made baskets and traps for centuries

Size
Length: 1500 cm
Lifespan
50–100 years
Diet
Not applicable (vine). Photosynthetic climber.
Habitat
Lowland and coastal forests, especially in warm, humid areas. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Climbs trees using stiff, woody stems. Often forms dense thickets in mature forest understorey.
Range
Throughout New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. Most common in lowland and coastal forests. 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 affecting forest habitats.
Population
Populations are considered stable in remaining forest fragments. The species is common in mature lowland forests throughout New Zealand. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums, which eat the leaves and shoots.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Also known as supplejack. A vine that is stronger than it looks. This is a strong, woody climbing vine that can reach 15 metres in length. Its flexible, rope-like stems were used by Māori for tying, lashing and weaving. The stems are extremely strong and durable, capable of holding heavy loads without breaking. The plant climbs using stiff, woody stems that twine around tree trunks and branches. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and oval-shaped, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. A vine that was once rope. The flowers are small and white, appearing in spring and summer. They are followed by bright red berries that are eaten by birds, which disperse the seeds. The berries are fleshy and sweet, a valuable food source for native birds including kererū, tūī, and bellbirds. The dense growth provides shelter for insects and lizards. A vine that feeds the forest. The name supplejack comes from the supple, jack-like (strong) stems. The stems were harvested by Māori for a wide range of uses. They were soaked in water to make them more flexible, then woven into baskets, traps, and eel pots. The stems were also used to lash house timbers and bind fence rails. The plant was an essential material for traditional construction and crafts. A vine that built things. Kareao is a characteristic plant of mature lowland forests. It grows best in warm, humid areas with high rainfall. It is less common in cooler, drier forests. The species is threatened by possum browsing, which can strip the leaves and shoots, weakening the plant and preventing regeneration. The forest is dark. The kareao climbs, twining around trunks, reaching for the canopy. The possums eat its leaves. The kareao does not fight back. It just climbs. It has been here for thousands of years. It will be here as long as the forest stands.