 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 10 - 18 weeks Pricking out: 7 months after sowing Tips: prone to seed predation so check for small holes made by grubs. Soaking the fruit in water will kill any grubs that may not have damaged the seed |
Most people have no trouble naming the iconic nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) famed for being the southernmost palm in the world. It's our only palm and shares the Arecaceae family with numerous well known and economically important plants like coconut, date and oil palms. Nikau is uncommon in central Wellington now but was once more plentiful in a narrow ecological zone known as the "nikau belt", semi-coastal forest spreading up the western suburbs northwards from about Otari Wiltons Bush where just a few remain. Everything about this species is slow. It can take up to 20 years to start forming a trunk and up to 30 years before it flowers and sets fruit which no doubt contributed to its decline along with the usual suspects, habitat loss and fruit predators.
The fruit, dispersed by kereru, takes about a year to mature and the timing is quite variable, I've collected it May, August and October. Nikau do not tolerate frost, they like moist shade especially in their early years (about the first 15) and shelter from wind. They develop a tap root that makes them tricky to transplant and should be raised in a tall pot or bag and transplanted when young for best results.
Several parts of this tree were eaten; the circular butts of the leaves once stripped back to the soft white inner part (koata), and the root, which is apparently sweet tasting and was pickled in vinegar by early settlers. The succulent heart leaves were a favoured food too but obtaining them kills the tree so it wasn't eaten often. The larger leaves however were used extensively for roofing and weaving.
The fruit, dispersed by kereru, takes about a year to mature and the timing is quite variable, I've collected it May, August and October. Nikau do not tolerate frost, they like moist shade especially in their early years (about the first 15) and shelter from wind. They develop a tap root that makes them tricky to transplant and should be raised in a tall pot or bag and transplanted when young for best results.
Several parts of this tree were eaten; the circular butts of the leaves once stripped back to the soft white inner part (koata), and the root, which is apparently sweet tasting and was pickled in vinegar by early settlers. The succulent heart leaves were a favoured food too but obtaining them kills the tree so it wasn't eaten often. The larger leaves however were used extensively for roofing and weaving.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 5 - 10 weeks Pricking out: 5 - 15 months after sowing with variability accounted for Tips: only prick out in warm weather |
Pate (seven finger, Schefflera digitata) is a common small tree found throughout New Zealand which is sometimes mistaken for five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) as it shares some family resemblances. The obvious differences are its thinner leaves with finer sharper serrations and usually seven leaflets. The leaves of pate contain falcarindiol, an antifungal agent that proved effective for the treatment of ringworm and other fungal skin complaints.
The beautiful large spreading panicle of dark purple berries are very attractive to birds, and the juice so dark, it was used as an ink. The seeds (pictured below the fruits in the inset) are small, soft and delicate so don't grind away at these too much when washing the fruit off. Germination has an initial flush but seeds will continue to germinate over a long period of time. Pate likes moist, shady, sheltered spots so bear this in mind when cultivating as it can have high loss rates in the early stages after pricking out, particularly if pricked out in cold weather which it does not like! Once it gets going it's an extremely fast grower but will require lots of water through the warmer months.
The beautiful large spreading panicle of dark purple berries are very attractive to birds, and the juice so dark, it was used as an ink. The seeds (pictured below the fruits in the inset) are small, soft and delicate so don't grind away at these too much when washing the fruit off. Germination has an initial flush but seeds will continue to germinate over a long period of time. Pate likes moist, shady, sheltered spots so bear this in mind when cultivating as it can have high loss rates in the early stages after pricking out, particularly if pricked out in cold weather which it does not like! Once it gets going it's an extremely fast grower but will require lots of water through the warmer months.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: 2 - 3 months CMS Germination: 8 weeks Pricking out: 3 - 7 months after sowing Tips: prone to aphids and psyllids |
Tarata (lemonwood, Pittosporum eugenioides) is a widespread forest margin tree in lowland and hill country. It's the largest of our Pittosporum species growing up to 12 mtrs and its yellow-green leaves with wavy margins and very pale midribs distinguish it from the others. Lemonwood shares a similar distribution to kohuhu (P. tenuifolium), scarce or absent from Westland forests and Stewart Island but common everywhere else below about 760 m.
The lemon-scented resinous gum was used as a glue when lashing fishing lines and to perfume chewing gums and oils such as kōhia (Passiflora tetrandra) mentioned in April post.
The fruit is very slow to ripen, the capsules turning from fleshy green to dry black but they don't split right open like other species in the genus. Once ripe the resin coated seeds are dispersed by sticking to birds who also love to eat them! In the publications I've read Pittosporum are said to be erratic and slow to germinate but I've found tarata and kohuhu to be fairly quick and even germinators after a couple of months in moist peat in the fridge (cool moist stratification, CMS).
See March post for more on Pittosporum and Pittosporaceae.
The lemon-scented resinous gum was used as a glue when lashing fishing lines and to perfume chewing gums and oils such as kōhia (Passiflora tetrandra) mentioned in April post.
The fruit is very slow to ripen, the capsules turning from fleshy green to dry black but they don't split right open like other species in the genus. Once ripe the resin coated seeds are dispersed by sticking to birds who also love to eat them! In the publications I've read Pittosporum are said to be erratic and slow to germinate but I've found tarata and kohuhu to be fairly quick and even germinators after a couple of months in moist peat in the fridge (cool moist stratification, CMS).
See March post for more on Pittosporum and Pittosporaceae.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 3 - 9 months Pricking out: 1 - 2 years after sowing Tips: avoid overhead watering as much as possible |
The number of Astelia species increased after a recent revision placed species previously known as Collospermum back in their rightful place with Astelia. The production of progeny from intergeneric crosses between Astelia and Collospermum is just one of a number of clues suggesting a close relationship between the two and leading to their earlier placement in the same genus.
Astelia hastata (kahakaha, tank lily, previously Collospermum hastatum), is a large conspicuous epiphyte common in Wellington bush areas. The others you're likely to see in our area are Astelia solandri (perching lily, kaiwharawhara) another epiphytic and forest floor species with narrower, drooping leaves, and Astelia fragrans (bush flax , bush lily, kakaha, January post), a large flax-like form with yellowish green leaves and bright orange fruit that are opaque rather than transparent as in A. solandri and A. hastata. The fruits contain several small, shiny, black seeds.
The main thing to bear in mind with Astelia species is they don't like humidity so make sure they have lots of air flow and avoid overhead watering. Even large established Astelia will rot if watered overhead too often, especially when its warm.
Astelia hastata (kahakaha, tank lily, previously Collospermum hastatum), is a large conspicuous epiphyte common in Wellington bush areas. The others you're likely to see in our area are Astelia solandri (perching lily, kaiwharawhara) another epiphytic and forest floor species with narrower, drooping leaves, and Astelia fragrans (bush flax , bush lily, kakaha, January post), a large flax-like form with yellowish green leaves and bright orange fruit that are opaque rather than transparent as in A. solandri and A. hastata. The fruits contain several small, shiny, black seeds.
The main thing to bear in mind with Astelia species is they don't like humidity so make sure they have lots of air flow and avoid overhead watering. Even large established Astelia will rot if watered overhead too often, especially when its warm.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2 - 6 weeks Pricking out: 2.5 - 4 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Lophomyrtus bullata (ramarama, bubble leaf) is a beautiful small tree with bubbly, red-mottled leaves and fruit that turn almost black when ripe and clearly resemble other members of the Myrtaceae family like feijoa and guava. The genus, consisting of two species (the other L. obcordata), is endemic to New Zealand. Where the two overlap they produce a range of hybrids known as Lophomyrtus x ralphii which has given rise to most of the cultivars commonly seen in garden centres.
Ramarama contains bullatenone which has been found to have antiseptic and anti fungal properties. The bark also contains ellagic acid (found in many red fruits and berries) which Maori used traditionally to reduce bruising and has since been shown to slow the proliferation of cancer cells.
Ramarama is usually found in coastal and lowland forest and shrubland areas in the North Island and top of the South in Nelson/Marlborough. It's not very common in central Wellington but is easy to propagate if you can get the fruit (which has numerous seeds in each) and is extremely hardy.
Ramarama contains bullatenone which has been found to have antiseptic and anti fungal properties. The bark also contains ellagic acid (found in many red fruits and berries) which Maori used traditionally to reduce bruising and has since been shown to slow the proliferation of cancer cells.
Ramarama is usually found in coastal and lowland forest and shrubland areas in the North Island and top of the South in Nelson/Marlborough. It's not very common in central Wellington but is easy to propagate if you can get the fruit (which has numerous seeds in each) and is extremely hardy.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 7 - 11 weeks Pricking out: 4.5 - 6 months after sowing Tips: very easy |
Pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae), growing up to 35 meters tall, is our largest hardwood tree. Though formerly included in the same family as Hedycarya (pigeonwood), pukatea is now the only member of its family in New Zealand and stems from an ancient lineage. Studies suggest an initial diversification of the family (Atherospermataceae), 100 - 140 million yeas ago in western Gondwana, quickly moving east to where pollen records of the family are found from Antarctic forests dating back to about 88 mya. New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia, Chile and Antarctica were all still joined in the remaining eastern block of the Gondwanan land mass at this time and members of the family are still found in all those countries. One could assume that this suggests the genera and species evolved into the distinct groups we see today as they travelled with the separating land in a process called vicariant evolution. Laurelia showed up in New Zealand's pollen record for the first time between 39 and 24 mya during the Oligocene (as did Coprosma, Metrosideros and Fuchsia). Has it been here changing and evolving since its origins in Gondwana, or did it disperse here later from across the seas ? To join this argument embroils you in over 150 years of research and speculation on the origins of our unique biota and one that is not set to end any time soon .......
Wind dispersed seeds are uncommon among our large emergent tree species. Pukatea form clusters of pods shaped like small, elongated pears that split open to release seeds cloaked in silky hairs. This results in a brief collection period when the ground beneath the tree is thick with them but they quickly descend into the damp swampy ground. Its chosen habitat in soggy, unstable soils has led to the formation of plank buttresses at the base of the trunk, a useful tool for spotting them in mixed forest. Waterlogged soils are oxygen poor but roots need to respire so Laurelia has an extensive root system some of which loop up above the soil and develop lenticels (pores) that allow air into the inner tissues. These specialised roots are called pneumatophores.
The bark of this tree contains pukateine, an alkaloid that acts to reduce nerve pain and was widely used for tooth ache. The bark decoction was also used for skin ailments and ulcers and is still available from natural medicine outlets today for its pain relieving properties.
Wind dispersed seeds are uncommon among our large emergent tree species. Pukatea form clusters of pods shaped like small, elongated pears that split open to release seeds cloaked in silky hairs. This results in a brief collection period when the ground beneath the tree is thick with them but they quickly descend into the damp swampy ground. Its chosen habitat in soggy, unstable soils has led to the formation of plank buttresses at the base of the trunk, a useful tool for spotting them in mixed forest. Waterlogged soils are oxygen poor but roots need to respire so Laurelia has an extensive root system some of which loop up above the soil and develop lenticels (pores) that allow air into the inner tissues. These specialised roots are called pneumatophores.
The bark of this tree contains pukateine, an alkaloid that acts to reduce nerve pain and was widely used for tooth ache. The bark decoction was also used for skin ailments and ulcers and is still available from natural medicine outlets today for its pain relieving properties.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: ~ 8 weeks Pricking out: ~ 5 - 6 months after sowing Tips: slow grower |
Aptly named bastard grass (hook sedge, kamu, matau-a-maui (fish hook of Maui), Carex uncinata previously Uncinia) this sedge needs very little excuse to grab on taking advantage of even the downiest of human hairs! Though I love it I frequently curse this ability when working in the garden! This species is the commonest of the hook sedges found throughout the country and in Hawaii in a wide range of habitats.
Carex uncinata is a bit uncooperative in the nursery setting, some growing into wonderful healthy looking plants and others remaining shabby with browning off leaves and never really getting going. I haven't grown it for long enough to determine what causes this variability but as for most plants, attempting to replicate its natural habitat should give the best results. In this case, an open but mostly shaded site with moderate soil moisture.
Carex species vary in how the male and female flowers are arranged on a spike (single seed head on a stem) or an inflorescence (multiple seed heads on a stem). Some have spikes with both male and female flowers as in this species (the males positioned above the females), or inflorescences with male spikes and females spikes in different arrangements.
Carex uncinata is a bit uncooperative in the nursery setting, some growing into wonderful healthy looking plants and others remaining shabby with browning off leaves and never really getting going. I haven't grown it for long enough to determine what causes this variability but as for most plants, attempting to replicate its natural habitat should give the best results. In this case, an open but mostly shaded site with moderate soil moisture.
Carex species vary in how the male and female flowers are arranged on a spike (single seed head on a stem) or an inflorescence (multiple seed heads on a stem). Some have spikes with both male and female flowers as in this species (the males positioned above the females), or inflorescences with male spikes and females spikes in different arrangements.
Flowering
Slim pickings on the flowering front but the flowers of the enchanting kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile, New Zealand mahogany), sprouting directly from the trunks, are starting to open just as this years fruit is beginning to ripen.
The two distinct flower types of Coprosma grandifolia (kanono). Left, the pistils of the female plant and right, the large conspicuous anthers of male.
 |  |
