mākaka

Plagianthus divaricatus | mākaka, salt marsh ribbonwood, marsh ribbonwood

A small endemic shrub forming dense, tangled thickets of silvery stems with small, elongated green leaves. It produces masses of tiny, cream, strongly vanilla-scented flowers in spring, followed by fruit capsules whose seeds float on water and attract native birds. Salt- and wind-tolerant, it thrives in wet, swampy coastal soils and estuaries.Hardy and semi-deciduous, it can be used in coastal restoration, or as a trimmed hedge or low shelter.