Prumnopitys taxifolia Black pine | Mataī

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Other known names

Māī, kākāī, kāī.

Propagation summary

Good germination and seed viability. Long time frame found between sowing to germination. Can be grown from cuttings.

Seed propagation category

Hard.

Seed collection

Seeds mature between March–April.(1)

Seed storage

Orthodox (can survive drying and freezing for long-term storage).(2) Seeds store well.(1)

Seed dormancy

Germination reported to take up to 22 months.(3) Another study reported seeds can take up to 5 years to germinate.(4)

Pre-sowing treatments

Cool-moist stratification for 3 months.(4) Stratification is the process of chilling seeds to promote germination.

Seed viability

68% of seeds are viable (seeds collected from pig faeces).(3)

Germination

50% germination after 3 months of cool-moist stratification.(4) Stratification is the process of chilling seeds to promote germination.

Propagation techniques

Soft to firm semi-hardwood cuttings form roots easily.(1)

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Prumnopitys taxifolia, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

References

1.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand. 

2.

Wyse, S V; Carlin, T F; Etherington, T R; Faruk, A; Dickie, J B; Bellingham, P J (2024) Can seed banking assist in conserving the highly endemic New Zealand indigenous flora? Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23029.

3.

O'Connor, S-J; Kelly, D (2012) Seed dispersal of matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia) by feral pigs (Sus scrofa). New Zealand Journal of Ecology 36(2), 228–231. 

4.

Olsen, M; Millner, J; Ries, T; Douglas, B (2024) Native afforestation: Review of germination. MPI Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper No: 2024/03.