Coriaria sarmentosa

Coriaria sarmentosa is a native shrub or small tree of New Zealand. The species is one of the most abundant Coriaria species in New Zealand known as tutu, known for their toxicity.

Description

The species is a branching large shrub, which has pairs of long glossy oval leaves, measuring between in length.

Coriaria sarmentosa dies back over the winter months.

The species is endemic to New Zealand, found primarily in the South Island and the lower North Island.

As with other species of tutu, the plant is poisonous, and is said to be strong enough to have killed many livestock, and even 2 elephants. The convulsant toxin tutin might be present in all tissues, but is known to exist within leaves and fruit.