Clearing is bare. Poroporo grows. Purple-flowered pioneer of regenerating forest. Tree that wears best colours early. Has beauty matched by usefulness. At three to five metres in height. Small, soft-wooded shrub or tree. Large, soft, dark green leaves. Striking, purple, star-shaped flowers appear in summer. Flowers followed by bright orange, berry-like fruits. Hang in clusters. Splash of colour against green foliage. Tree that gives colour and food. Tree of open places. Grows in lowland forests, scrublands, and regenerating bush. Preferring open, sunny locations with well-drained, fertile soils. Often found along forest margins. In clearings. In disturbed ground. Colonising areas after fire or land clearance. Tree that takes advantage of disaster. Short-lived pioneer. Growing quickly. Producing flowers and fruit within few years of germination. Important food source for birds. Which eat bright orange berries and disperse seeds across landscape. Tree that lives fast and dies young. Poroporo has long history of medicinal use. Contains solasodine. Compound used in manufacture of steroid drugs. Including oral contraceptives. Māori traditionally used plant as contraceptive. For treating skin infections. Including scabies and ringworm. Leaves were crushed and applied as poultice. Or boiled and liquid used as wash. Tree that heals and prevents. To see Poroporo is to see tree shaped by both nature and culture. Purple flowers are reminder of beauty of regenerating forest. Medicinal properties are reminder of deep knowledge Māori had of plants around them. The clearing is bare. Poroporo grows. Purple flowers bright against green. Orange berries waiting for birds. Will be gone in few years. Forest will take over. That is the deal. It does not mind. Was never meant to stay. None significant threats exist. Species is common and widespread. Localised threats include habitat loss from land development. Browsing by introduced mammals. Competition from invasive weeds. Poroporo is fast-growing, soft-wooded shrub or small tree. Large, showy, purple flowers appear in summer. Flowers followed by bright orange, berry-like fruits eaten by birds. Contains solasodine. Compound used in manufacture of steroid drugs. Traditionally used by Māori as contraceptive and for treating skin infections. Found throughout North and South Islands. Stewart Island. And Chatham Islands. Most common in coastal and lowland areas. No one told it otherwise.