Māī, kākāī, kāī.
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
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
Seed dormancy
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:
- Photo by (c) riddlead – some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- Original image
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.