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(Carpodetus serratus)
Marbleleaf (Carpodetus serratus)
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Christopher Stephens
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Christopher Stephens
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Christopher Stephens | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Christopher Stephens | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-12-28T17:16:55-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements
| • Precipitation | 64" - 77" |
| • High Temp. | 65°F - 71°F |
| • Low Temp. | 29°F - 39°F |
Summary
Carpodetus serratus, commonly known as Marbleleaf, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the forest understorey and scrubland of New Zealand. It typically grows up to 10 meters in height and develops a slender trunk up to 30 cm in diameter. The bark is rough, corky, and mottled grey-white, often appearing knobbly due to insect boring. Marbleleaf is notable for its fragrant white flowers, which appear in 5 cm panicles, and its black chewy berries. The flowering season extends from November to March, with fruits ripening from January to February, providing a long season of visual interest.
Marbleleaf is valued for its adaptability to garden conditions and its ability to remain compact and rounded for several years before assuming a more tree-like form. It can be trimmed to maintain a bushy appearance, and well-grown plants will flower abundantly. In cultivation, it thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers medium to high water availability and soils with medium drainage. While it is widely cultivated in New Zealand, it can also be used in similar temperate climates for urban planting, border planting, and as an ornamental specimen due to its attractive foliage and flowers.CC BY-SA 4.0
Marbleleaf is valued for its adaptability to garden conditions and its ability to remain compact and rounded for several years before assuming a more tree-like form. It can be trimmed to maintain a bushy appearance, and well-grown plants will flower abundantly. In cultivation, it thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers medium to high water availability and soils with medium drainage. While it is widely cultivated in New Zealand, it can also be used in similar temperate climates for urban planting, border planting, and as an ornamental specimen due to its attractive foliage and flowers.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Width: 6-12 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Sun
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Native to the forest understorey and scrubland of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Marble Leaf Tree, Putaputaweta, White Mapau, Bucket-Of-Water-Tree
Scientific Names: Carpodetus serratus, Carpodetus dentatus, Carpodetus forsteri
GBIF Accepted Name: Carpodetus serratus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.