mātātā

Rhabdothamnus solandri | mātātā, taurepo, kaikaiatua New Zealand gloxinia

An endemic shrub of the North Island and nearby offshore islands, typically growing up to 2 m tall. It has slender, branching stems covered in bristly hairs and small, rounded, toothed leaves. The shrub produces striking tubular flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red throughout the year, with peak flowering from October to February. These nectar-rich blooms are an important food source for native birds such as bellbird, tūī, and stitchbird, while silvereye sometimes pierce the flowers to access nectar. Found in coastal and lowland forests, stream edges, steep banks, and upland areas, mātātā is best planted in semi-shaded sites with free-draining, fertile soil. Its showy flowers and ecological value make it a distinctive addition to mixed plantings, woodland gardens, and revegetation projects.