Botanical name:

Teucridium parvifolium

Common name(s):

Teucridium

About:

A twiggy shrub typically growing to a height of around 1 to 2m, featuring 1cm long oval leaves and producing small, delicate white flowers during the spring and summer seasons. This plant exhibits a scattered distribution across various regions of the South Island and is considered rare in the North Island. It is commonly found thriving in disturbed ground environments and shows a clear aversion to being crowded by other surrounding plants. This species is best suited for dry, open areas where it can receive ample sunlight or, alternatively, thrive in semi-shaded conditions. To ensure it retains an attractive and well-maintained shape, regular pruning is required.

Natural habitat:

Along fertile stream sides and river terraces in lowland dry forest and podocarp-hardwood forest; occasionally on forest margins, clearings and amongst scrub.

Growing environment:

Sun, Drought & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand. Occurring sporadically from Northland to Southland, but commoner in the east of both islands.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

October - January with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December - March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Hedging, Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed and semi-hardwood cuttings. A very hardy shrub which is tolerant of a wide range of habitats, soils types and moisture regimes.

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