#fuscospora

AKA Nothofagus solandri var. solandri or Fuscospora solandri.

An endemic evergreen tree growing to 27 m tall. Found on both the North and the South Island at low elevations up to the mountains. Widespread on ridges in inland Taranaki.

Black beech gets that name because of a sooty mold which covers the trunk and branches. I'll discuss that more when I get to the St. Arnaud section of the trip, where it's a vital part of the ecosystem.

Black beech is known to hybridise freely with mountain beech (Nothofagus cliffortioides) where the two species co-exist, although Mountain beech generally grows at higher elevations. It also hybridises with hard beech (Nothofagus truncata) to form the hybrid species Nothofagus × apiculata, and with red beech (Nothofagus fusca) to form the hybrid species Nothofagus × dubia.

AKA Fuscospora fusca, and tawhai raunui.

A medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 35 m tall, usually on lower hills and inland valley floors where soil is fertile and well drained, on North and South Island.

Fossil pollen has been found in Antarctic Eocene strata.

Red beech hybridises with mountain beech (Nothofagus cliffortioides) to form the hybrid species Nothofagus ×blairii, with black beech (Nothofagus solandri) to form the hybrid species Nothofagus ×dubia, and the ruil tree (Nothofagus alessandrii) from Chile to form the hybrid species Nothofagus ×eugenananus.

Grown as an ornamental tree in regions with a mild oceanic climate. The timber is excellent if carefully dried, It was often used in flooring in many parts of New Zealand.