Botanical name:

Tecomanthe speciosa

Common name(s):

Three Kings Vine, Tecomanthe, akapukaea

About:

The Three Kings Vine is a vigorous twining climber that exhibits a striking tropical appearance. The glossy, thick compound leaves are composed of up to five distinct leaflets, creating an attractive foliage display. During the autumn or early winter months, it produces long cream-coloured tubular flowers that emerge directly from the stem in large, eye-catching clusters. This species was once categorised as one of the world's most endangered plants until it was successfully rescued by dedicated horticulturalists who took cuttings from the last remaining original plant. However, despite these efforts, it is still currently listed as a Nationally Critical Species. With its glossy green leaves and long-lasting cream flowers that bloom in winter and autumn, it presents a stunning visual appeal, but it remains sensitive to frost and requires careful cultivation.

Natural habitat:

Growing up from a stony stream bed within mixed coastal forest dominated by Kanuka (Kunzea triregensis), and pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea).

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Three Kings Islands & Great (Manawa Tawhi) Island

Height: 10m

Flowering: 

Autumn to early winter with a green or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Year round. Fruit generally mature 3 or so months after flowering but the pods are retained on the vine for up to several years.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant & Bee food.

How to grow:

Easily grown from stem cuttings, aerial and ground layering and from seed. Seed must be sown fresh (it will not keep for very long, especially if it has dried out). Place seed on soil surface and water gently. Seed should germinate within 1-2 weeks. Seedlings grow rapidly, and can flower within 2-3 years. Cuttings from grown plants are more variable with flowering, most nursery stock (which is obtained as cuttings from seedling material) flowers within 2-3 years. However, cuttings raised from the original plant often flower sporadically in the 5 year from cuttings & some may never flower at all.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.