Hoheria populnea is a very fast growing floriferous (bearing flowers) branched native shrub or small tree, growing to up to 11m in height and it is a colonising plant in open areas.
It is found naturally in lowland forests found in the north and west of North Island, Three Kings Is, Great Barrier Is, and on the Kermadec Is but is now planted in gardens and parks throughout New Zealand.
It has evergreen oval pointed leaves with serrated edges up to 12 cm in length.