Botanical name:

Dracophyllum filifolium

Common name(s):

Inanga

Plant facts:

D. filifolium is a shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 4 m, typically found in lowland to montane forest, as well as in shrubland and grassland ecosystems. The leaves of this plant are grass-like in appearance and grow in an erect manner. The striking white flowers are arranged in spikes, with the inflorescence bracts and the flower bracts being notably longer than the actual flowers themselves.

Natural habitat:

D. filifolium is found in lowland to montane forest, shrub-land and grassland from sea level (in the southern part of range only) along mountain slopes on saddles and mountain ridges up 1500m.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wetland, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Stewart Islands from Huiarau Range south.

Height: 4m

Flowering: 

November – June with a white coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

Throughout the year.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild. Don’t be tempted - take photographs instead!

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