Botanical name:

Entelea arborescens 

Common name(s):

Whau

About:

What is a small bushy tree characterised by large, very thin, jagged leaves—each leaf boasting three distinct points towards the tip that are attached to a slender stalk near the base—presents a unique profile. The flowers of this tree are generally white, adorned with striking yellow filaments, and are formed in attractive flat clusters. Whau is recognised as one of the fastest-growing native trees, making it an excellent choice for use in coastal situations where it can effectively establish shelter for other plantings. However, it is worth noting that Whau is rather short-lived, with a lifespan of up to 15 years; nevertheless, once it has established itself, it often self-sows, contributing to the surrounding ecosystem.

Natural habitat: 

Coastal to lowland forest or shrub-land. Usually in open sites such as around recent slips, tree falls, cliff faces, boulder slopes, sand dunes or on the margins of streams, rivers, lagoons and lakes. Mostly near the coast however it may occur well inland in some places e.g., the Waikato River near Hamilton, Rotorua. Some inland and southern North island occurrences are thought to be derived from deliberate plantings by Maori.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Three Kings, North (including Little and Great Barrier Islands) and South Islands. In the North Island, whau is locally common from Te Paki to about Kawhia and Mahia Peninsula south of there it is known from a few sites in the northern Taranaki, eastern Wairarapa, Cape Palliser, at Paekakariki and Wellington. In the South Island it is confined to the Golden Bay area of North-West Nelson. Whau naturalises easily and has become established in many places, especially around baches and urban plantings.

Height: 6m

Flowering:  

August – November with a white or yellow coloured flower/s 

Fruiting: 

December – June with a distinctive, round fruit covered with long spines.

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed which germinates readily. Does best when planted in sunny, free draining soils but is also tolerant of semi-shade and seasonally damp ground. Reasonably drought tolerant but cold sensitive. 

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