houhere with ribbony lacebark beneath the skin
- Size
- Height: 6–10 m
- Lifespan
- 50–100 years
- Diet
- Produces masses of white, star-shaped flowers in summer rich in nectar. Attracts tūī, bellbirds, and bees. Flowers followed by small dry seed capsules that release tiny seeds. Important food source for native birds and insects.
- Habitat
- Coastal forests, lowland forests, and forest margins. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with full sun to partial shade. Tolerates salt spray and wind. Often found near the coast and on offshore islands.
- Range
- Found in coastal and lowland forests of the North Island from Northland to Wellington. Rare in the northern South Island. Most common in coastal areas of the North Island.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- Habitat loss from land clearance and coastal development is the primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. No significant pest or disease issues. Climate change affects coastal habitats.
- Population
- Populations have declined due to land clearance but remain stable in remaining forest fragments. The species is still common in coastal forests of the North Island. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums.
- Conservation Status
- Not Threatened
- Human Risk
- harmless
- Handling Note
- native broadleaf tree/shrub, safe to handle
- Conservation Note
- Endemic shrub or small tree; widespread in lowland and montane forests throughout New Zealand.
- Assessment
- NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
- Te Ao Māori
- In Māori tradition, houhere was valued for its fibrous bark and its soft wood. The bark was stripped and the fibres were used for making rope (taura), fishing nets (kupenga) and lines. The soft wood was used for making bird spears (taoroa) and for making fire by friction. The lacy, peeling bark was also used in traditional medicines. The name houhere refers to the peeling bark (hou = to peel, here = to bind).
Wind peels the bark. Houhere is named for its distinctive bark. It peels in thin, papery, lacy layers. The bark is fibrous and strong. It peels away from the trunk in sheets. Underneath, the new bark is smooth and pale. The tree looks like it is wrapped in lace. A tree that wears its own bandages.
The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and serrated. They are up to ten centimetres long. They are dark green and soft. They arrange alternately along the branches. The flowers are the story. Masses of white, star-shaped flowers appear in summer. They cover the tree in a cloud of white. The flowers are sweetly scented. They attract moths and bees at night. A tree that blooms in the dark.
The wood is light and soft. Māori used it for making bird spears (taoroa) and for making fire by friction. The wood is easy to carve. It is easy to shape. A tree that made tools.
The fibrous bark was even more valuable. It was stripped, soaked, and beaten to separate the fibres. These were then twisted into strong, durable cordage. The fibres were used for making rope (taura), fishing nets (kupenga), and lines. A tree that made rope.
The name houhere refers to the peeling bark. Hou means to peel. Here means to bind. The tree is also known as lacebark for the same reason.
To see a houhere is to see a tree of the coast. It grows near the sea. It stands on the cliffs. It lives on the offshore islands. Its lacy bark peels in the wind. Its white flowers scent the air.
The wind blows. The bark peels. It is lacy and papery. It reveals the smooth new bark beneath. The tree does not mind losing its skin. It has more underneath.
It has been here for millennia. It will be here as long as the coast remains.