Tree Tutu

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tree Tutu

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Coriariaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed within the genus Coriaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the various regions of New Zealand. It can be found growing across the North Island and the South Island. Its range extends further out to the Kermadec Islands. Additionally, the species is distributed within the Chatham Islands. This specific geographical spread highlights its presence throughout much of the New Zealand archipelago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coriaria arborea is characterized by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, where it thrives within maritime landscapes and littoral zones. This species plays a significant role in its specific ecosystem, often stabilizing sandy or rocky coastal substrates. A defining biological feature of its ecological strategy is its symbiotic relationship with fungi, as it is confirmed to be mycorrhizal. The presence of these mycorrhizae facilitates essential nutrient uptake, particularly in the often-challenging soil conditions found in coastal habitats, allowing the plant to maintain physiological stability and vigor within its niche.

Habitat :

Coastal

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Life history

The life history of Coriaria arborea is characterized by its structural development as a phanerophyte, typically growing as a woody shrub or small tree with perennial branches that persist above the ground. Throughout its lifecycle, which reaches a lifespan of approximately 25 years, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional across different seasons. As it matures, its biological strategy is defined by its phanerophytic growth habit, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche for several decades.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifespan :

25

Morphology

The morphology of Coriaria arborea is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. This species is a self-supporting, non-climbing plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a mean height of approximately 5 m, though individual specimens can grow to a maximum height of 7 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coriaria arborea is characterized by a specialized metabolic profile and specific morphological dimensions that support its growth and ecological role. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard mechanism for carbon fixation in many woody species, which dictates its efficiency in varying light and temperature conditions. The plant's foliar structure is defined by consistent leaf dimensions, featuring a uniform leaf width of 4.5 cm and a maximum leaf length reaching up to 7 cm. Furthermore, Coriaria arborea plays a vital role in nutrient cycling within its ecosystem through its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms to support its own development and the surrounding soil fertility.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coriaria arborea is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is documented as absent. The pollination process follows an insect pollination syndrome, facilitating genetic exchange through biotic vectors. The plant produces small fruits with a mean length and width of 0.4 cm, which serve to protect the seeds. The seeds themselves are quite minute, with a consistent mean length of 1.5 mm and a uniform seed volume of 5.6 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are extremely lightweight, exhibiting a mean mass of approximately 0.000214375 g, with values ranging from 0 g to a maximum of 0.000585 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically utilizing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals, ensuring the plant's spread within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.000585 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000214375 g

Seed mass min:

0 g

Seed volume max:

5.6 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Coriaria arborea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.

Toxic

1. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT

Preparations

Coriaria arborea has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include honey.

Honey

1. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT