tūtae kōau
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var. filiforme | tūtae kōau, New Zealand celery
A versatile herb native to the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. This plant grows either prostrate or upright, reaching heights of up to 1 meter. Its leaves, which have toothed leaflets and a distinct celery-like aroma, complement the tiny white or pink flowers that appear in clusters during spring and summer.
typical habitat.
coastal scrub
coastal forest
lowland forest
dune forest
estauries
streamsides
lake margin
drainage.
well drained
moist
sun.
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 40cm
width | 1m
pollinators calendar.
flowering | August - March
fruiting |September - July
did you know?
This species is native to New Zealand, Australia, and South America. Historically, it was a common food source for Māori and later became vital to Captain Cook in combating scurvy. Related to parsley, its green leaves can be used similarly, and in Australia, the dried leaves are a popular addition to native spice mixes.