Family
Coriariaceae

Distribution
Found in subalpine, shrub and grassland regions of the North Island from the central volcanic plateau to Mt Taranaki.

Description
A small shrub, which grows up to 60cm high, has square-shaped, slender, hairy branchlets and narrow dark-green leaves 10-25mm long that look fern-like (hence the name pteridoides, pteris being fern and oides being like). It has small flowers on pendant stalks which appear from October to February and are followed by shining black berries from December to April. These are known to be highly poisonous at certain times of the year.

Cultivation
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil that is preferably rich and moist, however extreme care should be taken in choosing a site inaccessible to children and animals. May require pruning during the winter to tidy it up.