Tītoki | New Zealand oak
Description
Tītoki is a native New Zealand tree found in coastal and lowland forests of the North Island and the upper South Island.
Known for its glossy dark green leaves, the tītoki is a significant plant in both natural forests and gardens.
Tītoki flowers in the spring, with its fruits taking up to a year to mature. The tree produces furry woody fruits that split open to reveal a hard black seed encased in a red fleshy covering. This bright red colour attracts native birds, but is poisonous to humans.
Māori and early European settlers valued the Tītoki tree's large black seeds, which they used to create high-quality oil, used on hair and body. Additionally, early watchmakers used tītoki oil as a lubricant.
There a plenty of traditional medicinal benefits of the tītoki tree. It was traditionally used to treat sore or inflamed eyes, wounds, open sores, and bruises, and was also taken internally as a laxative.
The wood of the Tītoki tree is strong and durable, earning it the nickname "New Zealand oak." It is straight-grained, easy to work with, and features a slight red hue. The tree's wood is symbolically referenced in the phrase "peka tītoki" in whakataukī, comparing its toughness to a resilient leader or iwi (tribe) that would not surrender.
Today, Tītoki remains an essential part of New Zealand's native forests and is also a popular choice for gardens due to its attractive foliage and historical significance. Its enduring legacy in traditional medicine and early New Zealand industry underscores its importance in the region's natural heritage.
Tītoki is a native New Zealand tree found in coastal and lowland forests of the North Island and the upper South Island.
Known for its glossy dark green leaves, the tītoki is a significant plant in both natural forests and gardens.
Tītoki flowers in the spring, with its fruits taking up to a year to mature. The tree produces furry woody fruits that split open to reveal a hard black seed encased in a red fleshy covering. This bright red colour attracts native birds, but is poisonous to humans.
Māori and early European settlers valued the Tītoki tree's large black seeds, which they used to create high-quality oil, used on hair and body. Additionally, early watchmakers used tītoki oil as a lubricant.
There a plenty of traditional medicinal benefits of the tītoki tree. It was traditionally used to treat sore or inflamed eyes, wounds, open sores, and bruises, and was also taken internally as a laxative.
The wood of the Tītoki tree is strong and durable, earning it the nickname "New Zealand oak." It is straight-grained, easy to work with, and features a slight red hue. The tree's wood is symbolically referenced in the phrase "peka tītoki" in whakataukī, comparing its toughness to a resilient leader or iwi (tribe) that would not surrender.
Today, Tītoki remains an essential part of New Zealand's native forests and is also a popular choice for gardens due to its attractive foliage and historical significance. Its enduring legacy in traditional medicine and early New Zealand industry underscores its importance in the region's natural heritage.
Facts
Traits
These trees provide food or shelter to one or many types of insects.
Used by Māori or early settles to treat ailments.
Birds love the nectar or berries from these trees and often play a role in dispersing seeds in the process.
Māori or early settlers used this tree for timber, craft or other uses.
News and stories
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