neinei

Dracophyllum latifolium | neinei, needle-leaved neinei, spider wood

Frequently called a Dr.Seuss tree because of its distinctive shape its long, slender leaves that grow in tufts at the branch tips, creating a unique, almost whimsical candelabra-like structure. While naturally occurring in the upper North Island as far south as North Taranaki, it's not commonly seen in the wild, preferring the filtered light and less competition of woodland understories rather than dense forest. In a garden setting, it thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soil with dappled shade and seems to prefer the company of other plants rather than being a solitary specimen. Although recorded up to 10 meters tall in its natural habitat, cultivated specimens often remain smaller, reaching around 2.5 meters even over several decades. Dracophyllum latifolium is occasionally stocked by specialist nurseries.