Plagianthus regius, manatu or ribbonwood is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands, and is found from Mangonui and Kaitaia southwards. It grows coastal to lower montane forest, often a prominent tree in lowland alluvial forest from sea-level to 450m asl, and can be rather local in its distribution. This small to large tree grows 6-9m tall, sometimes up to 15m with a trunk up to 1m through, is New Zealand's largest deciduous tree, and where space permits makes a very handsome specimen tree when mature. It has a densely divarcated juvenile stage that is well adapted to growing in exposed situations. Where other trees would bend due to prevailing winds, ribbonwoods grow straight and erect. It have very nice soft green leaves, and has very small flowers from October to January, that enmasse give the tree a rather attractive lime-green appearance.