Botanical name:

Lobelia physaloides

Common name(s):

Colensoa, koru

About:

A rare and large soft herb, this distinctive plant is characterised by its clusters of long, tubular purple flowers that inhabit the coastal forests of the northern North Island. The leaves of this herb are notably large and soft, adorned with many small teeth along their margins, adding to the plant's unique texture. At the base of the flowers, one can find a green cup that sits atop fuzzy purple stalks, creating a striking visual contrast. The fruit of this plant is a non-fleshy capsule, measuring approximately 10 to 15 mm in width, and can be observed in shades of bluish or white.

Natural habitat:

Coastal and lowland forest. Often along stream sides, or in damp sites in half-shade. Formerly common in these types of habitats within the more northerly kauri (Agathis australis) forest remnants.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wind, Wetland, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Three Kings, Poor Knights, Hen (Taranga) and Rakitu Islands, mainland northern North Island from Te Paki to about Whangarei and Trounson Kauri Forest. Its remote presence on Rakitu Island off the eastern side of Great Barrier Island suggests that it was probably more widespread on the mainland than the current distribution suggests.

Height: 1m

Flowering: 

May flower throughout the year. However plants are mostly found in flower between August and January and feature a  Blue to purple - violet coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Fruit may be present throughout the year. However, they are more common between November and March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings, Forests & Containers

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed and cuttings. Very fast growing and ideal in semi-shaded to shaded spots under trees, especially along stream sides. An excellent pot plant.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.