Botanical name:

Xeronema callistemon

Common name(s):

Poor Knights Lily , raupo-taranga

About:

These fine flowering specimens rank as one of our best horticultural subjects, celebrated for their striking appearance. Mature plants possess long, green flax-like leaves that can reach impressive lengths of up to 1m, and they produce vibrant flowers between the months of September and December. In its natural habitat, this beautiful plant thrives on rhyolite sea cliffs and rocky outcrops, but it is also found in the island’s lush forest areas, adapting to various environments. The stunning red flowers, delicately tipped with bright orange pollen, closely resemble a giant bottle brush or an oversized toothbrush, making them quite eye-catching. It is important to note that these plants are frost tender and require protection from harsh winter conditions.

Natural habitat:

Rhyolite sea cliffs and rock outcrops. Occasionally in forest on rubble or as an epiphyte on pohtukawa (Metrosideros excelsa). These latter occurrences probably stem from fallen plants captured in trees or re-sprouting on the forest floor.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Only known from the Poor Knights Islands near Tutukaka, and from Hen (Taranga) Island, near Whangarei. Xeronema belongs to a newly established family of one genus with two species, the Xeronemataceae.

Height: 1.5m

Flowering: 

September to December, peaking in October with a red/pink or orange coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November to January

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Flowers

How to grow:

Very easy from divisions of whole plants, and seed. But seed must be fresh, and though germinating easily can take 10-15 years to reach flowering size. Xeronema is best grown in a long narrow pot, within a free draining mix of rock chips and compost. Plants should be watered frequently, and frequently fertilised with sea weed, manure, or high phosphate/nitrogen garden fertilisers. They should be allowed to become root bound (or they will not flower), and need high sunlight. Plants are very cold sensitive, dying in even mild frosts.

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