tūmatakuru

Discaria toumatou | matagouri, tūmatakuru

Commonly found in dry shrublands, its tough, wiry, thorny branches and small, leathery leaves evoke rugged landscapes. While its white flowers are inconspicuous, they release a sweet scent in late summer. As a nitrogen-fixing species, it's a beneficial and interestingly wild addition to gardens. Ideal for dry, coastal, and low-maintenance settings, it forms excellent natural hedges or protective borders, its thorns deterring wildlife while providing shelter for small birds. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, demonstrating strong drought tolerance once established. For optimal development of its spreading form, space plants approximately 1 meter apart.