Botanical name:

Pittosporum kirkii

Common name(s):

Kirk’s kōhūhū, thick-leaved kohukohu

About:

An epiphyte located on trees across forests from Mangonui to the Taranaki region. It can be cultivated as a garden shrub and typically exhibits an open growth form, reaching heights of up to 3m. The plant features abundant foliage with lance-shaped, dull green, leathery leaves and reddish branches. Its individual flowers are relatively large, bright yellow, and bloom during the summer months. It thrives in well-draining soil, preferring sun or semi-shade, and benefits from some shelter. This species is particularly intriguing but is not widely available.

Natural habitat:

Usually epiphytic, rarely terrestrial in coastal to montane forest.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s northern half or the North Island, from Karikari Peninsula south of the northern reaches of the Whanganui River and west to Taranaki Mounga (Mt Egmont National Park).

Height: 3m

Flowering:

October – December  with yellow coloured flowers

Fruiting:

January - May

Uses:

Bird attractant, Bee food, Forests & Riparian plantings

How to grow:
Easy from fresh seed. Can also be grown from semi hardwood cuttings but slow to strike.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed up and even out germination time