Evergreen tree to about 20 m tall with ascending branches and buttressed trunk. Leaves ovate to rhombic, 2.5-3.5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, margin with 6-8 pairs of large, sharp teeth, wavy with a swelling where the 2 lower veins join the midrib. Leaf stalk 4-5 mm long. Flowers in small clusters; Sept-Dec. Fruit 4-lobed with the nuts about 7 mm long, 3-sided or flat, winged at the base.

New Zealand

Grows naturally on both North and South Islands of New Zealand in lowland or montane forest.

NSW: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. VIC: Dandenongs (Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, 'Pirianda' about 10 m in 1984); Emerald (Nobelius Heritage Park about 14 m 1990); Mt. Macedon ('Alton', 'Curramundi', 'Forest Glades' about 15 m in 1984).

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Fagaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.