Prumnopitys taxifolia

Mataī
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Araucariales
Family: Podocarpaceae
Genus: Prumnopitys
Species:
P. taxifolia
Binomial name
Prumnopitys taxifolia
(Banks & Sol. ex D. Don) de Laub.

Prumnopitys taxifolia, the mataī (Māori: mataī) or black pine, is an endemic New Zealand coniferous tree that grows on the North Island and South Island. It also occurs on Stewart Island / Rakiura (47 °S) but is uncommon there.[2]

It grows up to 40 m high, with a trunk up to 2 m diametre. The leaves are linear to sickle-shaped, 10–15 mm long and 1.5–2 mm broad. The seed cones are highly modified, reduced to a central stem 3–4 cm long bearing 1-6 scales, each scale maturing berry-like, 10–15 mm long, violet-purple with a soft edible pulp covering the single seed. The seeds are dispersed by the New Zealand pigeon (kererū), which eats the 'berries' and passes the seeds in its droppings.

  1. ^ Farjon, A. (2013). "Prumnopitys taxifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T42541A2986139. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42541A2986139.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume one. Wellington: Te Papa Press. p. 6. ISBN 9780909010089.