Titoki (Alectryon excelsus), is a shiny-leaved tree native to New Zealand, where it occurs in coastal and lowland forests. The flowering is in spring and the seeds take up to a year to mature. The colourful seeds are initially contained in a hairy woody capsule which splits revealing bright red and black fruit (the black portion being the seed).
In common with most New Zealand native trees, the native Maori vernacular name is now preferred for English use. Formerly it was also known by the confusing name "New Zealand oak" (it is not an oak).
