Botanical name:

Notothlaspi australe

Common name(s):

About:

A plant native to the alpine regions of Nelson & Marlborough, this remarkable species forms low patches of narrow, slender leaves and, during the warm summer months, is beautifully adorned with an abundance of small white flowers. It is characterised as a rather short-lived perennial, requiring a scree-like growing medium to thrive and is probably best suited for cultivation within an alpine house setting, where its unique needs can be more easily met.

Natural habitat:

Alpine rocky outcrops, bluffs, and shingly sites from 700 - 1800m, where it often grows on shaded sites such as ledges and crevices. It occurs on a wide range of soil types, including those derived from greywacke, limestone, marble and ultramafic parent materials

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s upper South Island in the Nelson & Marlborough regions

Height: 30cm

Flowering: 

November – March with a white coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

January - April

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Alpine plantings

How to grow:

Difficult. These  are plants for the alpine specialist and are hard to obtain. Propagation by seed.