Fire tree

Fire tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow to 8 metres tall.

Description

• Branches are covered in reddish hairs.

• Leaves are shiny, leathery, narrow, 11cm long, alternate, and aromatic.

• Flowers are yellow, appearing on short spikes.

• Male flowers are in small, hanging clusters near the branch tip, females appear further down.

• Fruit is red/purple/black and appears warty.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals.

• Habitats include forest, open areas, shrubland, forest margins, lava fields, cliffs, pasture, disturbed sites, and roadsides.

What you need to know

Fire tree can form dense colonies and displace native species. Nitrogen fixer.

Management approach

Fire tree is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of fire tree yourself. Report any sightings to us.