Botanical name:

Dracophyllum strictum

Common name(s):

Tōtorowhiti

About:

A low-growing Dracophyllum, typically reaching heights of about 65 cm when cultivated under appropriate conditions. This plant features short, tapering leaves that create a visually appealing foliage, and it produces panicles of delicate, tiny white flowers that bloom from spring through to autumn. It can be found thriving in scrubland and forested areas from Thames extending southward to approximately Westport. This species requires a rich, moist soil to flourish and tends to prefer semi-shade environments for optimal growth. It is considered one of the easier species to cultivate successfully in northern regions, making it a popular choice among gardeners.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to subalpine. Usually on siliceous rocks such as rhyolite, andesite and ignimbrite, sometimes found on sandstones and calcareous mudstone. Usually favouring well-lighted, sparsely vegetated sites, or within Machaerina sinclairii around seepages, sometimes colonising open riverbanks or open shrubland

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s lower North & upper South Islands.

Height: 65cm

Flowering:

October - May with a red/pink or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Throughout the year

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Difficult. Like the majority of Dracophyllum species D. strictum is best admired left alone in the wild. Plants have been grown via transplants but are general fickle and prone to sudden collapse. Some success has been obtained through raising plants from seed, and there have been reports of plants being successfully raised from striking hard-wood cuttings but, as a rule like most (if not all) Dracophyllum species cultivation is usually impractical.

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