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.

lowland forest

subalpine forest

subalpine scrub

streamsides

moist

partial shade

height | 10m

width | 2m / 30cm (trunk)

flowering | September–May

fruiting |  Throughout the year

Current thinking suggests that New Zealand's Dracophyllum species originated in Australia, arriving here via wind-blown seeds relatively recently in geological terms – a few million years ago – and subsequently diversifying into 40 distinct species. Their foliage contains alkaloids, which deter browsing animals and also inhibit fungal growth, leading to the slow decomposition of fallen leaves that accumulate into long-lasting carpets beneath the trees.