🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
While some Coriaria species have edible fruit pulp, Coriaria ruscifolia is highly poisonous in all its parts, including the nectar and honey produced by bees that feed on it. It has no real permaculture use due to its toxicity.
Permapeople description
Coriaria ruscifolia is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It has poisonous berries.
Botanical description
Coriaria ruscifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It typically grows to 3-6 meters tall. The leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate-lanceolate in shape, resembling Ruscus leaves, hence the specific epithet 'ruscifolia'. The flowers are small, greenish, and borne in drooping racemes. The fruit is a small, fleshy drupe that turns black when ripe. The plant contains the toxic glycoside tutin.
Companion planting
Due to its toxicity, Coriaria ruscifolia is generally not considered a desirable companion plant. Its potential allelopathic effects on other plants are not well documented, but caution is warranted.
Propagation methods
Propagation is typically achieved through seed sowing, though germination rates can be variable. Cuttings are also possible, but may be less successful.
History and traditions
Traditionally, Maori in New Zealand were aware of the toxicity of tutu and took precautions to avoid poisoning. There are accounts of deaths from eating the fruit, particularly before the dangers were well understood. The plant was sometimes used medicinally, but only with extreme caution due to its poisonous nature.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs in spring. Fruits ripen in late summer to autumn. Seed sowing is best done in spring or autumn. Pruning, if desired, can be carried out in winter.