Botanical name:

Dracophyllum recurvum

Common name(s):

Curled leaved neinei

About:

A low-growing, somewhat prostrate shrub reaching heights of up to approximately 1 m, this species is typically found in its natural habitat within the Central Plateau region of New Zealand’s North Island. It features short, narrow leaves that exhibit a distinctive reddish tinge, which contributes to its visual appeal. The plant produces white flowers that appear in racemes at the tips of its branches, offering a striking contrast to the foliage. Notably, this shrub has the ability to tolerate relatively arid conditions, making it a resilient choice for environments where moisture may be limited. Its adaptability and unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to diverse landscapes.

Natural habitat:

Montane to alpine. Common in open ground on mountain slopes, ridge lines, cliff faces or on plateau within subalpine shrub-land, fell-field, grassland, herb-field or tussock-land

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island, Central Volcanic Plateau and adjacent mountains with an isolated occurrence in the Raukumara Range.

Height: 1m

Flowering:

December - April with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

February – May

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Difficult - should not be removed from the wild. Can be grown from seed.

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