kohekohe

Didymocheton spectabilis | kohekohe, New Zealand mahogany

 

A captivating tree with a rounded crown of glossy green leaves and fragrant, creamy-white flowers sweet-scented, orchid-like flowers grow straight from the trunk or large branches followed by orange fruit, both of which attract native birds like tūī, bellbird and hihi adding year-round interest. Adaptable and resilient it thrives in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil, Kohekohe tolerates moderate frost and short dry periods, though young trees need shelter and frost protection. It's commonly used as a specimen tree in parks and gardens, in revegetation projects, or its dense foliage used for screening or hedging.

lowland forest

coastal forest

moist

well drained

full sun 

partial shade

height | 15m

width | 4m / 1m (trunk)

flowering | March - June

fruiting |  April - August

Kohekohe displays a fascinating phenomenon called cauliflory, where its flowers sprout directly from the trunk and branches. This unusual adaptation is thought to facilitate pollination and seed dispersal by non-flying animals or ground-dwelling insects.