Botanical name:

Brachyglottis hunti

Common name(s):

Rautini, Chatham Island Christmas tree

About:

This is a tall and conspicuous shrub native to the Chatham Islands. In its natural habitat, it can reach heights of up to 6m, but in cultivated settings, it typically grows to about 3 to 4m. The leaves, which are lance-shaped and pale green, have slightly rolled edges and form crowded rosettes. During the summer, it produces large terminal panicles of daisies, creating a striking display of golden yellow.

Rautini should be positioned in full sunlight. It is less drought-tolerant than B. grey and thrives in cool, moist climates while benefiting from richer soils. In cultivation, its lifespan can be relatively short, frequently due to the impact of Phytophthora.

Natural habitat:

Brachyglottis huntiii prefers frequently disturbed and/or early successional habitats, such as those found along stream and river sides, open shrubland, drier swamps, and along ridge crests. It is usually found growing on permanently moist forest and restiad peats and cannot tolerate protracted periods of drought, or heavy shade.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Coastal, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Chatham and Pitt Island’s. It was once much more common and widespread on Chatham Island but has declined seriously over the last century. On Pitt Island it is still quite widespread, expanding to where stock and feral animal are in low numbers, but diminishing elsewhere.

Height: 6m

Flowering:

November - February with a yellow coloured follower/s

Fruiting:

Late summer and early autumn

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings, Hedging & Flowers.

How to grow:

Very easy from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. This species does best planted in a semi-shaded site or in a permanently moist, deep peaty soil, with a south-facing aspect. Once planted it should not be disturbed. In ideal conditions it is fast growing and will flower within 1-2 years from seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though