Botanical name:

Macrolearia angustifolia

Common name(s):

Teteaweka

About:

A striking and resilient shrub that can be found thriving on the windswept and often harsh coastline of Stewart Island as well as the southern regions of the South Island. This remarkable plant typically grows to an approximate height of 2 m, featuring leathery, dark green, serrated leaves that are lance-shaped and densely felted beneath, providing a unique texture. The flower heads of this shrub are carried in attractive clusters, usually consisting of 3 to 10 blooms, each measuring about 5 centimeters in width. These flowers display lovely white rays surrounding vibrant purple disks at their centres. Due to its specific growing requirements, it is considered a difficult shrub to cultivate, making it rare and seldom available in the market.

Natural habitat:

Coastal habitats in “muttonbird scrub” usually overlying peat. Never far from the sea.

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Bluff Peninsula at the southern tip of the South Island. More common on Rakiura/Stewart Island and surrounding islets.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

October – January with a violet – purple to white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January  – March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Hedging, Riparian plantings & Forests.

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed and cuttings but very difficult to maintain in cultivation. Dislikes humidity and drought, and should be grown in a cool, damp, well drained soil, ideally near the sea. Plants are prone to sudden collapse during times of stress.

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

** Seed can be slow to germinate, taking 9 – 12 months, often with a low germination rate.