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| 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 |
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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.
This information about Griselinia lucida displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate 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 that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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