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Products > Griselinia lucida
 
Griselinia lucida - Puka
   
Image of Griselinia lucida
 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Shrub
Family: Cornaceae (Dogwoods)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Color: Insignificant
Bloomtime: Not Significant
Height: 8-12 feet
Width: 6-12 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F
Griselinia lucida (Puka) - A slow growing attractive tropical-looking open shrub or small tree that typically grows to about 8 to 12 feet tall in cultivation but can exceed 20 feet in habitat. The bright green leathery large leaves are a rounded oblong shape and measure to 7 inches long with unequal leaf halves notable at the base. Plant in full coastal sun, part sun to shade with moderate to occasional irrigation. It has proven hardy to temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°F and is tolerant of coastal conditions. A great and interesting shrub or small tree whose bold foliage lends a tropical feel to the garden without requiring the warmer temperatures or even the irrigation typically associated with this type of vegetation. Useful as a specimen plant or trained as an infomal to semi-formal hedge with careful pruning - with its large leaves it should not be sheared. In New Zealand this plant is often seen as an epiphyte in other trees or growing on rocks as a lithophyte in lowland forests and coastal areas through much of the North Island and the northern areas of the South Island. The most common name in New Zealand for this plant is Puka a named given it by the Maori people, the indigenous Polynesians that have inhabited New Zealand since the 13th century but Meryta sinclairii, another plant we grow shares this name. It is also commonly called by the Maori names Akapuka and Akakopuka and by the English name Shining Broadleaf. The name for the genus honors the Italian botanist Francesco Griselini (1717-1787). The specific epithet from the Latin word 'lucidus' meaning "clear", "shining" or "bright" in reference to the bright green foliage of this species. 

The information about Griselinia lucida displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.