About Pomaderris rugosa Cheeseman
Pomaderris rugosa, commonly called wrinkle-leaved kūmaraho or wrinkle-leaf pomaderris, is endemic to lowlands in the upper North Island of New Zealand. It is a widely spreading, heavily branched shrub that has reddish hairy branches and narrow wrinkled leaves. The leaves grow up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long and up to 1.4 cm (0.55 in) wide, and are dark green on the upper surface and pale grey on the lower surface. This species can reach a maximum height of 3 m (9.8 ft), and occasionally grows as tall as 12 m (39 ft). It flowers mainly from October to December, producing cream to yellow blossoms arranged in many small clusters. Its small, dry fruit develops from November to May. P. rugosa is resistant to frost. It is classified as Naturally Uncommon, but has a widespread distribution, and is often found growing in pine forests. It grows most commonly in Coromandel and along the west coast of the Firth of Thames, and is also found on the nearby islands of Rotoroa, Ponui, and Mayor / Tūhua, as well as around Aotea and Kāwhia Harbours. Populations further north at Herekino and along the Weiti River may be the result of introduction. It prefers to grow in poor soils, on rocky outcrops (especially rhyolite rock), and in estuaries.
