Curled-leaved Neinei

Botanical name: Dracophyllum recurvum
Synonyms: Dracophyllum rubrum, Dracophyllum tenuicaulis, Dracophyllum brachyphyllum, Dracophyllum brachycladum
Common name(s): Curled-leaved Neinei, Curved-leaf Grass Tree, Neinei

About:
Curled-leaved Neinei is a low, spreading alpine shrub endemic to the central North Island mountains. It is readily recognised by its narrow, blue-green to light green leaves, which curve backwards and cluster toward the ends of its branches. Its compact, wind-shaped growth and tough foliage allow it to survive severe frost, snow, strong winds and unstable volcanic soils. Small white, or occasionally pale pink, flowers are produced in dense terminal clusters during summer and early autumn.

Natural habitat:
Occurs in montane, subalpine and alpine environments on open mountain slopes, ridgelines, plateau surfaces, cliff faces and exposed volcanic ground. It grows within subalpine shrubland, fellfield, tussockland, grassland and alpine herbfield, often where soils are shallow, stony and highly exposed.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun, cool temperatures and exceptional drainage. It grows best in acidic, low-nutrient soils containing volcanic grit, pumice, coarse sand or fine gravel. Although adapted to regular mountain rainfall and snow, it is highly intolerant of stagnant moisture, warm humid conditions and rich garden soils.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand’s North Island. Its main distribution is on the Central Volcanic Plateau and neighbouring mountain ranges, with a separate isolated occurrence in the Raukūmara Range.

Height:
10–90 cm, occasionally forming mounds approaching 1 m in sheltered sites

Width:
Approximately 50 cm–1.5 m

Flowering:
December–April

Fruiting:
February–May

Uses:
• Alpine and rock gardens
• Specialist native plant collections
• Volcanic landscape restoration
• Exposed banks and slopes in cool climates
• Low architectural planting
• Botanical and conservation gardens

Appearance:
Growth habit:
A many-stemmed, compact shrublet with spreading, decumbent or prostrate branches. In exposed alpine environments the branches hug the ground, while plants at lower elevations may develop into more upright rounded mounds.

Stems/Bark:
Older branches have smooth grey to dark grey bark. Young stems are reddish-brown and densely branched.

Leaves:
Leaves are crowded toward the tips of the branchlets and spread outward before curving distinctly backwards. They are linear to linear-triangular, generally 15–40 mm long and 1–2 mm wide. The foliage is glaucous blue-green to light green, although plants may develop bronze, reddish or brownish tones in cold or highly exposed conditions.

The upper leaf surface is conspicuously rough and wrinkled, while the lower surface is smoother. The margins bear numerous minute teeth, and the leaf tip is thickened, bluntly pointed and three-angled.

Flowers:
Flowers are borne in short, dense terminal spikes that extend beyond the surrounding foliage. Each spike is approximately 12–25 mm long and carries five to eight sessile flowers. The flowers are white, occasionally pale pink, and partly enclosed by broad greenish or glaucous bracts that project beyond them.

Fruit:
The fruit is a small, light brown, broadly rounded capsule approximately 3–4 mm long. It contains numerous minute seeds.

Ecology:
Curled-leaved Neinei is highly adapted to the extreme conditions of the North Island’s volcanic mountains. Its low, spreading form reduces exposure to strong winds, while its extensive root system anchors it in shallow, loose and erosion-prone soils. The tough, recurved leaves reduce moisture loss and withstand frost, snow and abrasive wind-blown particles.

Its dense branches provide shelter for alpine invertebrates and small ground-dwelling animals. The flowers supply nectar and pollen to native insects, while the tiny seeds are dispersed by wind across open mountain terrain.

Associated habitats:
Subalpine shrubland, alpine fellfield, tussock grassland, herbfield, volcanic plateau, exposed ridgelines, scree margins, cliff faces and open mountain slopes. Associated plants may include snow tussocks, mountain daisies, alpine hebe, leatherwood, mountain tōtara, Gaultheria, Coprosma and other low-growing alpine shrubs.

How to grow:
Grow in full sun in a cool, open position with excellent air movement. The soil must be acidic, low in nutrients and exceptionally free-draining. A mixture containing pumice, volcanic grit, coarse sand and a small amount of peat-like organic matter is suitable.

Plant with minimal disturbance to the root ball and avoid burying the crown. A fine gravel or grit mulch is preferable to heavy organic mulch because it helps keep the crown dry. Water lightly during extended dry periods, but never allow the roots to remain waterlogged. Pruning is rarely required apart from removing dead or damaged branchlets.

This species is difficult to maintain outside a cool alpine or southern climate and generally performs poorly in warm, humid districts.

Propagation:
Propagation is difficult and plants should never be removed from the wild. Fresh seed may be surface-sown onto a moist, acidic and gritty propagation mix. Cover only lightly with fine grit and keep the tray cool, bright and evenly moist without saturation. Germination may be slow and irregular.

Semi-hardwood tip cuttings may occasionally succeed when placed in a very free-draining medium under controlled humidity, but rooting is often slow and unreliable. Young plants are highly sensitive to root disturbance and should be handled carefully.

Cultural use:
No well-documented traditional uses are widely recorded for this species. As a characteristic plant of the central North Island mountains, it contributes strongly to the identity and natural character of the volcanic alpine landscape.

The botanical name Dracophyllum means “dragon leaf”, while recurvum refers to the strongly backward-curving foliage.

Garden value:
A highly distinctive alpine shrub valued for its blue-green recurved leaves, compact spreading form and seasonal bronze or reddish colouring. It makes an outstanding specimen for alpine troughs, rock gardens and cool-climate native plant collections. Its demanding cultivation requirements make it best suited to specialist growers able to provide conditions similar to its natural mountain habitat.