Botanical name:

Pennantia baylisiana

Common name(s):

Three Kings kaikōmako

About:

When first discovered, there was only one known wild specimen of this species—a female found on Great Island within the Three Kings group. Cuttings taken from this plant introduced it into horticulture to a limited extent. In recent years, innovative techniques involving plant hormones have led to the production of viable seeds. As the resulting seedlings matured and flowered, one plant exhibited hermaphroditic flowers. While a good number of seedlings are now available, no male flowers—necessary for pollinating the female plants—have been identified to date. P. baylisiana can reach heights of 3 to 5m and possesses a tropical appearance, characterised by its large, oval, deep glossy green leaves that are well-veined, somewhat leathery, and have rolled-back margins. This robust coastal plant is capable of withstanding dry conditions but thrives in deep, rich soil. It is sensitive to frost.

Natural habitat:
Coastal Forest.

Growing environment:

Shade & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Endemic to Great (Manawa Tawhi) Island, in New Zealand’s Three Kings Island group.

Height: 5m

Flowering: 

October November with a green to white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Fruiting occurs between January and April in cultivated material. Ripe fruit has been seen in the wild during February and March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed, when viable non hybrid seed is available. Though the only known tree is functionally female, occasional viable fruit is now known to be produced both in the wild and in cultivation. However, if pure seed is desired, plants should grown well away from kaikomako (P. corymbosa) otherwise hybrid seed will be produced. This tree can also be grown from cuttings and basal portions of new stem stuckers. Neither media is easy to strike, and so until recently, this species was rarely seen in cultivation.

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