Botanical name:

Olearia chathamica

Common name(s):

Keketerehe

About:

This beautiful tree daisy, known for its striking appearance, is endemic to the Chatham Islands, where it has unfortunately become quite rare. It is closely related to O. angustifolia and features unique leathery leaves that are serrated along the edges, appearing glossy on the upper surface and felted white underneath. As autumn approaches, groups of the showy daisies emerge, displaying an array of colours that range from white to purple rays, accompanied by striking purple disks at the centre. In cultivation, this plant typically grows to an impressive height of about 1m, but it is notoriously difficult to maintain, as it is prone to collapse and die suddenly without warning. Like O. angustifolia, this stunning species is seldom available in gardens or nurseries.

Natural habitat:

Colonising rocky spurs, steep coastal cliffs and scarps, valley heads or open disturbed forest overlying forest peat soils. Mostly colonising sites that are steep or rocky so inaccessible to stock. Olearia chathamica avoids waterlogged ground and peat bogs, though occasionally it has been found on the margins of sphagnum bogs, or fringing lake shores where it grows on steep sided scarps.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Rekohu (Chatham Island) where it is known from the southern tablelands, Rangihaute (Pitt), Mang’ere, Tapuaenuku and Hokorereoro (South-east) Islands.

Height: 6m

Flowering: 

October – March with a violet-Purple to white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November  – April

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.

** 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.