Native seed catalogue

Fuscospora fusca Red beech | Tawhairaunui

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Other known names

Nothofagus fusca, hutu, hututawai.

Seed propagation category

Moderate.

Propagation summary

Germination is well understood. Germination rate is moderate.

Seed collection

Mast seed years follow hot-dry summers (2–3 times in 10 years).(1) Mast years are when a tree produces a lot of seeds every few years. Seed fall happens between March–May.(1)

Seed storage

Orthodox(2) (can survive drying and freezing for long-term storage). Store in airtight containers at 2–4°C for up to 1 year.(1) Can store up to 8 years in airtight containers with seed moisture between 8–10% and kept cool between 5–10°C.(3)

Pre-sowing treatments

Stratification at 2–4°C for 60 days(1) (stratification is the process of chilling seeds to promote germination). Another study reports stratification at 2–4°C for 3 months with free air circulation.(4)

Seed viability

74% of seeds are viable.(5)

Germination

Germination rate of 53% at temperatures between 15–20°C.(5)

Propagation techniques

Sow in spring.(4)

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Fuscospora fusca, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue

References

1.

Entrican, A R; Hinds, H V; Reid, J S (1957) Forest trees and timbers of New Zealand. New Zealand Forest Service Bulletin No. 12. R. E. Owen, Government Printer; Wellington, New Zealand

2.

Wyse, S V; Carlin, T F; Etherington, T R; Faruk, A; Dickie, J B; Bellingham, P J (2024) Can seed banking assist in conserving the highly endemic New Zealand indigenous flora? Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23029.

3.

Olsen, M; Millner, J; Ries, T; Douglas, B (2024) Native afforestation: Review of germination. MPI Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper No: 2024/03.

4.

Smale M; Bergin D; Steward G (2012) The New Zealand Beeches: establishment, growth, and management. New Zealand Indigenous Tree Bulletin No.6. New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited. Rotorua, New Zealand.

5.

Beggs, J R (2010) Comparison of the quality of red and silver beech (Nothofagus) seeds in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37(3), 495–501.

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