Small evergreen tree found in wetter areas throughout NZ most frequently at higher, cooler altitudes and in frosty valleys. Leaves are long soft, parallel-sided with many small marginal teeth. Bark is smooth and light brown. Flowers are small in clusters most abundant on woody twigs below the leaves, yellow for female, purple for males on separate trees, flowering mid-winter to early summer. Fruits 4-6mm dark purple late winter to late summer.

China. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Light green leaves brighten up a brown drought-hit landscape. Fruits, small white turning red, edible but bland, loved by birds. Tolerates dry conditions. Silkworms are raised on the leaves in China.

Broadly conical, deciduous. Leaves orange and red in autumn. Needs moist fertile site. Very rare in NZ. Worth a try.

Broadly spreading, deciduous. Exfoliating bark similar to the London Plane. Small flowers with red stamens on the bare branches in winter. Leaves sometimes edged with purple that turn yellow, orange or red in autumn. Tolerates dry sites.