Hoheria populnea is found from the coast to lowland forests, and has a natural distribution from the North Cape of the North Island, to the Bay of Plenty.

[2] It can grow into a tree 12 metres tall and has broad, oval leaves, with serrated margins.

[4] Lacebark produces white flowers in clusters from January to March.

[5] The bark of the plant was used in Māori traditional textiles to create ropes, hats, kits and headbands.

[6] Oral histories tell of early experiments to create felted material from the plant, similar to aute (the paper mulberry used in Polynesian textiles), however attempts were unsuccessful.