Mountain Forstera

Botanical name: Forstera sedifolia

Synonyms: Forstera glabra; Forstera sedifolia var. oculata

Common name(s): Mountain Forstera

About:
Mountain Forstera is a beautiful alpine native perennial that forms compact mats of glossy overlapping foliage and produces elegant white star-shaped flowers held above the leaves on slender crimson stems. Native to New Zealand’s southern mountains, it is highly prized by alpine plant enthusiasts for its neat habit, attractive foliage and delicate blooms.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in montane to alpine herbfields, rocky slopes, fellfields, seepages and open alpine turf. In Fiordland it descends almost to sea level in cool, high-rainfall environments.

Growing environment:
Frost, Sun, Part Shade, Moist & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.

Occurs naturally throughout the South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Height:
5–15 cm tall

Width:
Forms spreading mats up to 40 cm or more wide

Flowering:
November – February

Produces solitary or paired white flowers with yellow to orange centres, often marked with crimson speckles in the throat.

Fruiting:
January – April

Produces small capsules containing numerous tiny winged seeds.

Uses:
• Alpine rock gardens
• Trough gardens
• Ground cover
• Scree gardens
• Native alpine collections
• Restoration of alpine habitats

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A creeping perennial with branching stems that root at old leaf nodes, gradually forming dense mats of upright leafy shoots.

Leaves:
Small, tightly overlapping leathery leaves are glossy mid-green, broadly ovate to oblong with translucent margins and slightly spreading tips, giving the plant a tidy, sculptured appearance.

Flowers:
Elegant white flowers are carried singly or in pairs on slender dark crimson stems well above the foliage. Each flower has six broad petals surrounding a yellow to orange centre, often with attractive crimson speckling in the throat.

Fruit:
Small capsules release numerous tiny winged seeds which are dispersed by wind.

Ecology:
Mountain Forstera is well adapted to exposed alpine environments where it grows amongst herbfields, rock outcrops and moist alpine turf. Its creeping stems help anchor plants amongst rocky substrates while its flowers provide nectar for alpine insects.

Associated habitats:
Alpine herbfields, fellfields, scree margins, rocky bluffs, seepages, alpine turf and subalpine grasslands.

How to grow:
Grow in full sun or light shade in cool conditions with excellent drainage and constant moisture. A gritty alpine mix suits this species well. It performs best where summers remain cool and is ideal for alpine houses, troughs and raised rock gardens. Avoid prolonged heat and waterlogging.

Propagation:
Can be propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily in cool conditions, or by division of rooted creeping stems during spring or autumn.

Cultural use:
Although no specific traditional Māori uses are recorded, this species forms part of New Zealand’s distinctive alpine flora and contributes to the rich botanical diversity of the southern mountain ecosystems.

Garden value:
An outstanding alpine plant valued for its compact glossy foliage, delicate white flowers and ability to thrive in cool rock gardens. It combines beautifully with native alpine hebes, celmisias, gentians and small alpine grasses, making it an excellent feature for collectors and native alpine displays.