puriri
puriri Lexical Profile
puriri Game Scores & Validity
• noun
New Zealand A large evergreen forest tree (Vitex lucens) of the mint family Lamiaceae, endemic to northern New Zealand, having glossy palmate leaves, pink to red tubular flowers, and very hard, durable dark wood.
"The old puriri stood at the edge of the coastal forest, providing year-round nectar and berries for native birds."
New Zealand The bright red, cherry-like drupe or berry produced by the puriri tree, an important food source for native New Zealand birds such as the kererū.
"Native wood pigeons feasted on the ripe puriri hanging in clusters among the glossy foliage."
New Zealand The dense, dark brown, extremely durable timber of the puriri tree, historically prized for fence posts, railway sleepers, and heavy construction.
"Early settlers favored puriri for bridge supports because the dense timber resisted rot in damp soil."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Māori pūriri, the indigenous name for the tree and its timber.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.