Botanical name:

Dracophyllum latifolium

Common name(s):

Neinei, needle-leaved neinei, spider wood

About:

Found in the lush and vibrant forests located in the northern half of the North Island, D. latifolium is a striking plant that can grow impressively tall, reaching heights of up to 7 m. This species features slender, open branches, and at the tips of these branches, one can find clusters of narrow leaves that can extend to an impressive length of up to 60 cm. During the summer months, slim panicles adorned with delicate small white flowers emerge at the ends of the branches, creating a lovely display. For optimal growth, this plant thrives in reasonably good soil situated in a shady environment. The soil should be well-drained to prevent water-logging, but it is equally important to ensure that it is not allowed to dry out completely. Success with D. latifolium is significantly more likely if conditions can be managed to avoid heat and drought stress during the warmer summer season.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to subalpine. Often in kauri (Agathis australis) forest in the northern part of its range, where it grows on gentle to steep slopes in river valleys, along stream banks. South of Auckland it becomes more common in montane areas, where it is often common on mountain slopes and ridge lines extending into cloud forest and subalpine scrub. In some of these habitats it grows with Dracophyllum traversii.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wetland, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island.

Height: 7m

Flowering:

September–May with a reddish pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Throughout the year.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild. Don’t be tempted - take photographs instead! Dracophyllum latifolium is occasionally stocked by specialist nurseries (take care though to check the soil surrounding the rootstock to see if the plants on offer have been dug from the wild, as plants dug from the wild often persist for a few months before dying), and if grown from seed such plants may occasionally thrive in cultivation. Does best in a semi-shaded site, planted in a humus enriched, moist (not water logged) soil.

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