Botanical name:

Dracophyllum arboreum

Common name(s):

Chatham Island grass tree, tarahinau

About:

D. arboreum is a distinctive tree species that can reach impressive heights of up to 18 m, and it is known to be native exclusively to the Chatham Islands. The foliage of this tree consists of green, grass-like leaves that come in two different forms: the broad juvenile leaves and the narrow adult leaves. When mature, adult specimens of D. arboreum produce striking white flowers that grow in clusters or spikes. These flowers are often partially obscured by the persistent, hard floral bracts, which have sharp tips, adding to the unique appearance of this remarkable tree.

Natural habitat:

D. arboreum is an important component of Chatham Island forest, especially away from the coast and on the deeper peaty soils. In these sites it is often the dominant tree. Sometimes found in restiad bog where it overlaps with and often forms hybrids with D. scoparium 

Growing environment:

Shade, Wetland, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Chatham Islands group, Rekohu (Chatham), Rangiuria (Pitt) and Rangatira (South east) Islands only

Height: 18m

Flowering: 

Throughout the year with a reddish pink to white coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

Throughout the year.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Can be grown from fresh seed. However tends to be tricky to maintain. A rather attractive species that flourishes best in acidic, permanently damp but not water logged peaty soils.

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