Carpodetus

Putaputaweta – Best In New Zealand!

Adding NZ-native shrubs such as Putaputaweta to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They provide a habitat and shelter for native fauna.
• Greater biodiversity is created.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the largest variety of Carpodetus serratus plants, and the right one for your space. Many of these amazing plants have been grown locally or raised by ourselves with eco-sourced seed. They are thriving and ready for their new home. We stock only the highest quality plants, with each plant packed and transported with extreme care to ensure it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Carpodetus serratus, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Carpodetus Questions

1. How tall is the Putaputaweta tree?

The Putaputaweta tree, also known as Carpodetus serratus, is a native tree of New Zealand. It can grow up to 10 metres tall, but typically grows to 5-7 metres tall. The tree has a dense, rounded crown and dark green, leathery leaves. The flowers in spring are small and white.

2. What is Marbleleaf used for?

Marbleleaf, also known as Carpodetus serratus, is a popular ornamental tree. It is also used in native bush restoration projects. Fruit from these trees are a food source for native birds, such as the tui and the kereru.

3. What is the Carpodetus serratus habitat?

Carpodetus serratus, also known as the putaputaweta or marbleleaf, thrives in a variety of habitats. Here's an idea of its preferred environments:

General range:

• Coastal to montane regions, spanning an elevation of 10-1000 meters above sea level.

Forest types:

• Moist broadleaf forest: This is the primary habitat for the putaputaweta, where it often forms a component of the understory or midstory. It thrives alongside other native trees like beech and podocarp species.
• Secondary forest: It readily recolonizes disturbed areas and is a frequent resident in regenerating forests, contributing to ecosystem restoration.
• Forest margins and streamsides: Its tolerance for moisture makes it well-suited for these areas, adding shade and contributing to stream bank stabilization.

Key habitat features:

• Moderate to high rainfall: Putapuweta enjoys well-watered environments with good drainage.
• Humus-rich soil: It prefers fertile soil with organic matter that provides nutrients for healthy growth.
• Partial shade: While it tolerates full sun, partial shade, especially during hot summer months, is ideal for optimal growth and protection from scorching sunlight.

4. What is the bucket of water tree in New Zealand?

The bucket of water tree in New Zealand is the Carpodetus serratus, also known by its Māori name Putaputaweta or the marbleleaf.

This evergreen tree earned the nickname "bucket of water" due to its sappy wood. When freshly cut, the wood contains so much sap that it's difficult to burn and doesn't provide much heat, almost like pouring a bucket of water on a fire.

Here are some other interesting facts about the Putaputaweta:

• Appearance: It has small, oval or round leaves with a mottled appearance, hence the name "marbleleaf." Its young twigs grow in a zig-zag pattern, and it boasts fragrant white flowers and black chewy berries.
• Habitat: Putaputaweta thrives in moist broadleaf forests, secondary forests, and forest margins in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
• Cultural significance: It has cultural importance for Māori, with the name "Putaputaweta" referring to the numerous wētā that often shelter in its trunk.
• Uses: Although its wood is not ideal for burning, it was traditionally used for tools and weaving by Māori.

So, next time you're in New Zealand and come across a tree with marbled leaves and a reputation for sappy wood, you'll know you've spotted the fascinating Putaputaweta, the bucket of water tree!