Images of the Park
Nikau
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.jpg "Plants of Pukekura Park")
NZ plant: Arecaceae family
The Nikau - New Zealand’s only native palm
The endemic Nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) is the only
New Zealand member of the mainly tropical and subtropical Arecaceae
(palm) family. It is primarily a species of coastal to lowland forest
in the warmer parts of New Zealand. The Nikau palm has the distinction
of being the most southerly naturally growing palm in the world.
Nikau palms grow up to about 10 metres high, with a trunk of about
25 centimetres in diameter. They flower between November and April.
Ripe and/or green fruits may be found on them during most months of the
year. The ripe fruits are a favoured source of food for the endemic New
Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeeseelandiae)
in Pukekura Park and Brooklands, and elsewhere on the main islands of
New Zealand. Those birds are efficient and important dispersers of
Nikau seeds.
Many large Nikau palms are growing in Pukekura Park and Brooklands.
Mature examples can be seen most easily in the fern grove between the
Kiosk and Fred Parker Lawn. Several of the Nikau palms there have ripe
fruits at present (March).
Pukekura Park May 2001
Photo: David Medway
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NZ plant: Arecaceae family
Nikau flowers
Pukekura Park December 2001
Photo: David Medway
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NZ plant: Arecaceae family
Close up of Nikau flowers
Pukekura Park December 2001
Photo: David Medway
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NZ plant: Arecaceae family
Nikau fruits
Pukekura Park January 2002
Photo: David Medway
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NZ plant: Arecaceae family
Close up of Nikau fruits
Pukekura Park January 2002
Photo: David Medway
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NZ plant: Arecaceae family
NZ Pigeon eating Nikau fruits
Brooklands Park December 2001
Photo: David Medway
.jpg "Plants of Pukekura Park")
