 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 1.5 - 3 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 5 months after sowing Tips: don't bury too deep when pricking out and don't overwater while small |
Toetoe, (Austroderia toetoe) is not nearly as plentiful around Wellington as A. fulvida so the odd spots where it occurs are important seed sources. April is pretty much the end of its season so ready seed is available earlier as well. See Austroderia fulvida in December post for tips on how to tell the two apart. The same readiness measures apply for both, the stem should be fully golden up the seed head, seed heads fluffed up and falling when shaken.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 2 - 6 weeks Pricking out: 3 - 6 months after sowing Tips: sow thickly, germination can be a bit sparse |
Carex geminata (cutty grass, rautahi) (left) and Carex lessoniana (cutty grass, rautahi) (right) must be treated together due to their similarity in appearance and freshwater wetland habitat. With natural variability thrown in they can be difficult to tell apart but C. geminata has much longer peduncles (stalks that the seed heads are attached to), with longer more slender seed heads. C. lessoniana I often think looks a bit scruffier, with more compact seed heads and short peduncles so the upper seed heads particularly, are not as drooping as C. geminata.
I've found germination of both of these to be a bit sparse and variable. I suspect this is because they take a long time to ripen so it can be tempting to collect them before they're quite ready. Best results are achieved by waiting till they are very easily falling off the seed head before collecting and check the seed is completely brown. They mature quite late in the season so collections can be made up until May and June with March being about the earliest.
I've found germination of both of these to be a bit sparse and variable. I suspect this is because they take a long time to ripen so it can be tempting to collect them before they're quite ready. Best results are achieved by waiting till they are very easily falling off the seed head before collecting and check the seed is completely brown. They mature quite late in the season so collections can be made up until May and June with March being about the earliest.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh or dry store and sow Germination: about 5 months (not much data) Pricking out: 7 - 12 months after sowing Tips: avoid overwatering |
Gahnia pauciflora (cutting sedge) is yet another member of the Cyperaceae family that includes Carex. It grows in low fertility soils in forest up to 800 mtrs, often in clearings and on track edges. Gahnia is native to China, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific islands and the six species found here are all endemic. G. setifolia also grows in the Wellington area but is larger with many more flower stalks per plant and the seeds are significantly smaller.
Given their disappearance from much of lowland Wellington and other areas of the country, it’s a shame Gahnia species are not more widely planted. Not only for the beauty of their bold reddish seed heads with bright coloured shiny seeds, but also considering their important association with the now rare Dodonidia helmsii (Forest ringlet) our only forest dwelling butterfly that relies on plants like Gahnia and Chionochloa for food. Sadly they are rather uncooperative in cultivation, not so much due to poor germination, but to extreme intolerance of root disturbance so don’t tease out the roots as you might usually when transplanting.
Gahnia are easy to spot due to the curious mechanism they employ for displaying their bright seeds, known as nuts. The filaments of the anthers remain attached to the base of the nut as it ripens and gradually lengthen and twist together with filaments from other flowers. Once the seed is released from its scale it dangles from the entwined filaments. The seeds have a long ripening period so should be left as long as possible before collection and some suggest, dried further (up to 6 months) before sowing.
Given their disappearance from much of lowland Wellington and other areas of the country, it’s a shame Gahnia species are not more widely planted. Not only for the beauty of their bold reddish seed heads with bright coloured shiny seeds, but also considering their important association with the now rare Dodonidia helmsii (Forest ringlet) our only forest dwelling butterfly that relies on plants like Gahnia and Chionochloa for food. Sadly they are rather uncooperative in cultivation, not so much due to poor germination, but to extreme intolerance of root disturbance so don’t tease out the roots as you might usually when transplanting.
Gahnia are easy to spot due to the curious mechanism they employ for displaying their bright seeds, known as nuts. The filaments of the anthers remain attached to the base of the nut as it ripens and gradually lengthen and twist together with filaments from other flowers. Once the seed is released from its scale it dangles from the entwined filaments. The seeds have a long ripening period so should be left as long as possible before collection and some suggest, dried further (up to 6 months) before sowing.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 1 month Germination: 3 - 4 months Pricking out: variable from 9 - 20 months or more after sowing Tips: very temperamental |
Kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa, tawheo, tawhero, tawherowhero) belongs to a genus of about 150 species, the largest in the Cunoniaceae family. Only two occur in New Zealand, W. racemosa, widespread up to about the point where the other, W. silvicola starts in the Auckland region and further north. Though extremely common in many areas it is not so in Wellington with just a few remnants of large mature trees dotted around the city reserves.
The high tannin content of the bark was traditionally used for dyes and its usage by early European tanners resulted in a drastic reduction of kamahi numbers in the Auckland region. It was also used in chest medicines and wound healing.
This is a stunning tree with Hebe-like flowers and pods that produce very tiny seeds. The seeds are quickly dropped once the pods split so they need to be collected just before that point. By the time they are totally brown like the ones in this picture they're likely all gone so collect a few pods at various stages of ripeness. The seeds have variable germination, will continue to send up seedlings over a long period of time and grow slowly from there on. Kamahi seedlings can be extremely temperamental after pricking out and it's still a bit of a mystery but the best results I've had is leaving the seedlings till they're at least 2 or 3cm tall before pricking out, do so when the weather is warm and keep nice and evenly damp and sheltered. Once they get past the vulnerable stage they're tough as old boots!
The high tannin content of the bark was traditionally used for dyes and its usage by early European tanners resulted in a drastic reduction of kamahi numbers in the Auckland region. It was also used in chest medicines and wound healing.
This is a stunning tree with Hebe-like flowers and pods that produce very tiny seeds. The seeds are quickly dropped once the pods split so they need to be collected just before that point. By the time they are totally brown like the ones in this picture they're likely all gone so collect a few pods at various stages of ripeness. The seeds have variable germination, will continue to send up seedlings over a long period of time and grow slowly from there on. Kamahi seedlings can be extremely temperamental after pricking out and it's still a bit of a mystery but the best results I've had is leaving the seedlings till they're at least 2 or 3cm tall before pricking out, do so when the weather is warm and keep nice and evenly damp and sheltered. Once they get past the vulnerable stage they're tough as old boots!
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: ~ 4 months Pricking out: ~ 7 months after sowing Tips: prone to damping off |
This unassuming small tree Coprosma foetidissima (hupiro, stinkwood, shit shrub), has given all the others a bad name. The genus Coprosma meaning 'dung' from the Greek 'kopros' and 'osme' for 'smell' arose from this species despite it being the only one that smells this foul. C. foetidissima grows on the inland hills around Wellington, more common in re-establishing scrub cover in open exposed areas. It has small soft pale green leaves and is easily over looked when part of a low canopy but hard to miss if there is breeze brushing the leaves and releasing its 'vile' odour.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 7.5 months Pricking out: 8 - 14 months after sowing Tips: enjoyed by leaf roller caterpillars |
Wharangi (Melicope ternata, literally translated as 'honey cut triplets') is a small tree found mainly in coastal forests in the North Island, northern off shore islands, and top of the South Island where it occurs only on the coast. Melicope belongs to the same family as Citrus and not surprisingly has long been utilized for its aromatic oil (oil glands can be seen on the leaf underside), particularly the fresh smelling gum that was chewed to freshen the breath.
The bright, light, yellow-green leaves with three leaflets make wharangi quite distinctive and when in fruit is even easier to identify. The fruit has four compartments and as the pods ripen the shiny black seeds gradually emerge to sit atop the dried pods before finally falling.
Like M. simplex it is slow to germinate and grow in the early stages so consider it a two year crop.
The bright, light, yellow-green leaves with three leaflets make wharangi quite distinctive and when in fruit is even easier to identify. The fruit has four compartments and as the pods ripen the shiny black seeds gradually emerge to sit atop the dried pods before finally falling.
Like M. simplex it is slow to germinate and grow in the early stages so consider it a two year crop.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 8 weeks Pricking out: 3 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Acaena pallida (sand piripiri, sand bidibid) will readily collect itself on your socks almost all year round as you ramble through the sand dunes where it is common all around the coast from the southern North Island southwards. Sand piripiri provides an excellent food source for lizards and as a sand binder is useful for mitigating coastal erosion. Though it's a dune dweller it needs that moisture from lower down so don't be tempted to keep it as dry as the upper sand layer.
There are 100 odd species in this genus concentrated in Australia, South America and New Zealand with about 20 species occurring here. They're a successful group with several New Zealand species making it to invasive plant lists in North America, not surprising considering many have barbed seeds that are spread widely as they easily attach to feathers and fur.
There are 100 odd species in this genus concentrated in Australia, South America and New Zealand with about 20 species occurring here. They're a successful group with several New Zealand species making it to invasive plant lists in North America, not surprising considering many have barbed seeds that are spread widely as they easily attach to feathers and fur.
 | Propagate By cutting Rooting time: 1 - 2 months Tip: very prone to fungus and mould. Ensure good airflow |
Though not typically raised from seed the Veronicas (or Hebes depending on your level of attachment to their former name) really deserve a mention as they are New Zealand’s largest genus of flowering plants. There are almost 90 species (not to mention cultivars!!) displaying amazing ecological and morphological diversity and they’re important food for bees and butterflies. Two that are common around Wellington and ideal for restoration are koromiko (Veronica stricta var. stricta and var. macroura) and V. parviflora (formerly V. arborea), both reaching small tree status, 5 - 7.5mtrs.
Like the Asteraceae family (Olearia, Brachyglottis, Ozothamnus, Raoulia), they self-seed readily but are extremely variable when attempting to raise a crop from seed so by far the easiest option is cuttings. Cuttings are clones of the parent plant so when genetic diversity is important make sure to collect from as many plants as possible. See the Propagation page for notes on taking cuttings. Veronicas can be susceptible to fungal and mould issues in humid conditions so maximum air flow is essential.
Like the Asteraceae family (Olearia, Brachyglottis, Ozothamnus, Raoulia), they self-seed readily but are extremely variable when attempting to raise a crop from seed so by far the easiest option is cuttings. Cuttings are clones of the parent plant so when genetic diversity is important make sure to collect from as many plants as possible. See the Propagation page for notes on taking cuttings. Veronicas can be susceptible to fungal and mould issues in humid conditions so maximum air flow is essential.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 2 - 3 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 4 months after sowing Tips: sow thickly to allow for low strike rate |
Olearia solandri (Coastal tree daisy) occupies a similar niche to Ozothamnus leptophylla (March post) but is not as abundant. It is easily identified by its square yellow stems that fade a bit as they get older, and like many Olearia species its scent is divine. It's in the daisy family which means the seed viability can be quite low so sow in a good thick layer to get decent numbers and you'll have them popping up over quite a long time.
Olearia is a genus of about 130 species found mainly in Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. There are 40 odd species here and almost half of them are trees growing 5 - 8 meters tall though some, like Olearia traversiorum from the Chatham Islands, can reach 18 meters ! This makes them unique within their genus and even their family, Asteraceae, which is one of the largest in the world but mostly comprised of small herbaceous plants. More than half of our Olearia species are declining or endangered and many are uncommon. The only local natives common in Wellington are O. paniculata and O. solandri.
Olearia is a genus of about 130 species found mainly in Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. There are 40 odd species here and almost half of them are trees growing 5 - 8 meters tall though some, like Olearia traversiorum from the Chatham Islands, can reach 18 meters ! This makes them unique within their genus and even their family, Asteraceae, which is one of the largest in the world but mostly comprised of small herbaceous plants. More than half of our Olearia species are declining or endangered and many are uncommon. The only local natives common in Wellington are O. paniculata and O. solandri.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 3 - 4 weeks Pricking out: 1.5 - 4 months after sowing Tips: easy |
The endemic New Zealand passionfruit (Kohia, Passiflora tetandra) with its adorable little pumpkin coloured, lantern-like fruit is a cheery sight in the bush as the weather starts to cool. It's our largest, most vigorous climber, developing huge thick vines that snake across the forest floor and establish considerable thickets in the canopy. Needless to say, don't plant this too early in your restoration project or it might end up being all you have !
The fruits (borne on female vines) are a favourite bird food and will also be devoured by any possums, rats and mice in the area. The oil extracted from the seeds had various traditional uses including medicinal salves for treating persistent skin sores. Seed oil from several Passiflora species is still promoted as a healing and nourishing ingredient in skin products. The oil was even used by settlers for oiling watches and other fine metal work.
The fruits (borne on female vines) are a favourite bird food and will also be devoured by any possums, rats and mice in the area. The oil extracted from the seeds had various traditional uses including medicinal salves for treating persistent skin sores. Seed oil from several Passiflora species is still promoted as a healing and nourishing ingredient in skin products. The oil was even used by settlers for oiling watches and other fine metal work.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: variable from a few months up to several years Pricking out: 7.5 months to 5.5 years after sowing, averaging about 2 years Tips: easy if you have patience |
Hinau (Pōkākā, Elaeocarpus dentatus var. dentatus) is a common member of lowland conifer-broadleaf forest throughout the country south to about Christchurch in the east and South Westland in the west. It has distinctly different juvenile and adult leaves, the juvenile leaves being longer and thinner and lacking the large obvious domatia (small chambers where the leaf veins meet the mid rib). The picture on the left shows a Knightia (rewarewa) seedling below a hinau seedling , the two are often confused at this young stage of growth.
The adult leaves with their thick rolled over edges and large domatia are easy to spot on the ground in the bush if you're wondering what the canopy trees are. Also easily spotted earlier in the year are the fallen cream flowers with their dainty, finely toothed edges. The resemblance to Aristotelia flowers illustrates their family ties.
Elaeocarpus (referring to the olive-like fruit) is a large genus of about 350 species that are almost entirely tropical, the two southernmost species occurring here. The fruit have a mealy texture and were used by Maori to make a heavy loaf, komeke hinau, steamed for hours in an umu then preserved by wrapping and submerging in water for up to a year or more.
The adult leaves with their thick rolled over edges and large domatia are easy to spot on the ground in the bush if you're wondering what the canopy trees are. Also easily spotted earlier in the year are the fallen cream flowers with their dainty, finely toothed edges. The resemblance to Aristotelia flowers illustrates their family ties.
Elaeocarpus (referring to the olive-like fruit) is a large genus of about 350 species that are almost entirely tropical, the two southernmost species occurring here. The fruit have a mealy texture and were used by Maori to make a heavy loaf, komeke hinau, steamed for hours in an umu then preserved by wrapping and submerging in water for up to a year or more.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2 - 6 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 6 months after sowing Tips: prone to damping off when young |
Perhaps the commonest Coprosma species Karamu (Croprosma robusta, glossy karamu), grows throughout the country in shrub lands from the coast to lower montane areas and in openings within established bush. Its 'weedy' nature (readily recruits, fast to grow, tolerant of a range of habitats) means it is widely used in restoration. Part of its recruitment success can be attributed to its astounding ability to set fruit from almost every flower. Though this is usually a result of pollination (gametes from male and female flowers forming an embyo), and rarely results in every flower being fertilised, some species including this one, can set fruit without pollination in a process called apomixis. The resulting fruit is a clone of the female parent, but once you factor in its dioecious breeding system (separate male and female plants) it still maintains genetic variation in its male pollinated offspring so avoids the inbreeding depression usually associated with cloned offspring or self pollination.
Coprosma are related to coffee plants (genus Coffea) and during the world wars C. robusta seeds were roasted and used as a coffee substitute. In fact William Colenso (the first British botanist to describe many New Zealand plants) named this species Coprosma coffaeoides due to the similarities.
Coprosma are related to coffee plants (genus Coffea) and during the world wars C. robusta seeds were roasted and used as a coffee substitute. In fact William Colenso (the first British botanist to describe many New Zealand plants) named this species Coprosma coffaeoides due to the similarities.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 6 weeks Pricking out: 4.5 - 5 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Cyperus ustulatus (toetoe upoko-tangata, Coastal cutty grass, Giant umbrella sedge) is a large (over 1m tall) impressive sedge, happy in any moist situation though it can tolerate drying out from time to time too. We only have a couple of native Cyperus species making them hugely outnumbered by exotics. The seed heads of Cyperus are prone to infection by the endemic smut fungus, Bauerago which interferes with seed formation. The fruiting bodies appear as a yellow pollen-like powder obvious at the time of collection. Smut fungi also infect a number of other sedges and are quite host specific. Carex lessoniana is commonly infected by one that doesn't affect C. geminata so if you see them with a coating that looks like black mold it could actually be a good indicator of the species.
The large leaves of this plant were often used for weaving mats and baskets once the sharp serrated edges were removed. Along with the two Carex species mentioned earlier, Cyperus makes an excellent large, fast growing filler. These three will compete well with the growth of exotic grasses in your wet site restoration areas.
The large leaves of this plant were often used for weaving mats and baskets once the sharp serrated edges were removed. Along with the two Carex species mentioned earlier, Cyperus makes an excellent large, fast growing filler. These three will compete well with the growth of exotic grasses in your wet site restoration areas.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 6 weeks Pricking out: 4.5 - 5 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Kunzea ericoides was long considered a highly variable species with distinct races and varieties, or, one in need of closer attention to recognise this variability as distinct species. After many years of compiling the puzzle pieces, a major revision of the genus in 2014 did just that. We now have ten endemic species, seven of which are newly described. Kunzea robusta (kanuka, white tea tree) our most common and widespread species is one of those. The name we used to use for this species, Kunzea ericoides is a species confined to the northern South Island.
Kunzea is a genus of almost entirely Australian species and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In New Zealand this family includes rata, pohutakawa, manuka, kanuka and Lophomyrtus (ramarama) among others. The most topical issue for this family at present is Mrytle rust, a serious fungal disease that has recently arrived here from Australia. It severely attacks and even kills the plant and in Australia, has now become problematic for over 200 different species. Check out MPI website for more information.
Like manuka, kanuka is also a pioneer species colonising open ground in more fertile and well drained sites than manuka. Though it grows fast and large (up to 20 meters or more) the seedlings won't establish in the shade of maturing stands so eventually they are replaced by more shade tolerant forest species.
The medicinal properties of kanuka and manuka are also similar, both species are called tea trees and almost every part of these plants, and the honeys derived from them, are imbued with multiple health benefits. See manuka in November post for notes on telling these two apart.
Kunzea is a genus of almost entirely Australian species and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In New Zealand this family includes rata, pohutakawa, manuka, kanuka and Lophomyrtus (ramarama) among others. The most topical issue for this family at present is Mrytle rust, a serious fungal disease that has recently arrived here from Australia. It severely attacks and even kills the plant and in Australia, has now become problematic for over 200 different species. Check out MPI website for more information.
Like manuka, kanuka is also a pioneer species colonising open ground in more fertile and well drained sites than manuka. Though it grows fast and large (up to 20 meters or more) the seedlings won't establish in the shade of maturing stands so eventually they are replaced by more shade tolerant forest species.
The medicinal properties of kanuka and manuka are also similar, both species are called tea trees and almost every part of these plants, and the honeys derived from them, are imbued with multiple health benefits. See manuka in November post for notes on telling these two apart.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 8 weeks Pricking out: 3 - 6 months after sowing Tips: prone to damping off |
Harakeke (flax, Phormium tenax, korari) is stunningly imposing in its wetland and riparian habitat. It has always had huge importance to Maori, and as discussed in January post, was once one of our main industries, destroyed by the same disease (yellow leaf) that is present again in the environment. About 60 different forms are recognised by Maori for their various fibre qualities, and knowledge of the healing properties of the gel from its leaves is growing through its expanding use in skin care products.
European settlers gave both species the common name 'flax' due to the similarity of its fibres to the plant that gives us linen and linseed oil, Linum. Our native flaxes are in fact a type of lily quite closely related to day lilies (Hemerocallis). The flowers are not only loved by our native honey eaters, tui, bellbird, kokako, saddleback, but also by bats and geckos.
If you're in any doubt about the difference between wharariki (mountain flax, P. cookianum) and harakeke, the latter has upwards pointing seed heads that follow red flowers, and stiff, upright leaves on much larger plants. Wharariki has smaller yellow flowers followed by pendulous seed heads and drooping yellowish green leaves.
European settlers gave both species the common name 'flax' due to the similarity of its fibres to the plant that gives us linen and linseed oil, Linum. Our native flaxes are in fact a type of lily quite closely related to day lilies (Hemerocallis). The flowers are not only loved by our native honey eaters, tui, bellbird, kokako, saddleback, but also by bats and geckos.
If you're in any doubt about the difference between wharariki (mountain flax, P. cookianum) and harakeke, the latter has upwards pointing seed heads that follow red flowers, and stiff, upright leaves on much larger plants. Wharariki has smaller yellow flowers followed by pendulous seed heads and drooping yellowish green leaves.
Flowering
Flowers are few and far between right now but Olearia paniculata (Akiraho, golden akeake) (below) is just finishing at the end of April and there are still a few flushes of Metrosideros fulgens (rata) (bottom) dotted around.
Flowers are few and far between right now but Olearia paniculata (Akiraho, golden akeake) (below) is just finishing at the end of April and there are still a few flushes of Metrosideros fulgens (rata) (bottom) dotted around.
