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Delicate Tension - on the Art of Plant Mimicry, toropapa

toropapa, Alseuosmia sp. flowers
Alseuosmia macrophylla's divinely perfumed flowers entice you to linger. Photo by Gabriela V.

One of our most fragrant native species, Alseuosmia macrophylla - toropapa - is also one of the most confusing shrubs for botanists, thanks to its refined art of plant mimicry. The jury's out on how many species of the endemic Alseuosmia genus there actually are. Some sources suggesting five, some six, or seven?


Mimicry, which is still considered quite rare in the plant kingdom, is one its defence mechanisms, allowing toropapa to appear unpalatable to browsing herbivores.

The leaves of toropapa show an extreme variation, even between plants considered to be same species from a single location. They can exhibit a remarkable resemblance to completely unrelated species, such as maire (Syzygium maire), porokaiwhiri (Hedycarya arborea), ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata) and horopito (Pseudowintera colorata).


The tubular flowers, too, come in varied shades of crimsons, pinks as well as creamy colour with a different level of 'frilling' at the tips of the petals.




toropapa, Alseuosmia flowers
Exquisite 'frilling' at the tips of the petals. Photo by Gabriela V.

Toropapa is a forest understory shrub, typically growing to about 2m tall. It thrives in lowland to montane forests, prefering the cool, humid conditions found beneath a dense canopy of larger trees. Well-drained and moist soils throughout the year are non negotiable. This plant will collapse if conditions become too dry.

Flowering starts in late winter and continues through to early summer. Its exquisitely fragranced flowers, full of nectar, are pollinated by our native birds - the tūī, korimako/bellbird as well as hihi/stitchbird. Late summer to mid-autumn is when toropapa adorns itself with lipstick-red berries, containing the seeds. They are an important food source for native birds who aid in the seed dispersal.



toropapa, Alseuosmia sp. foliage and flowers
The presence of toropapa often indicates a healthy forest ecosystem with good moisture retention and a stable microclimate. Photo by Gabriela V.


Alseuosmia macrophylla berries
Toropapa berries are an important food source for native birds. Photo by L Jensen http://www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/seed-plants-flowering/alseuosmiaceae/alseuosmia-macrophylla.html

When introducing toropapa into your garden, it is crucial to chose the right location to ensure your specimen will thrive for many years to come. To fully appreciate the divine scent, consider planting it near a seating area, a frequently used path or close to a window. The scent is most pronounced in the evenings.








Source:

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network 2025. Retrieved from http://www.nzpcn.org.nz

iNaturalist NZ. Retrieved from http://www.inaturalist.nz

Native Plants NZ. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nativeplants.nz

Auckland Museum. Retrieved from http://www.aucklandmuseum.com

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved from http://www.tepapa.govt.nz

Slender, sharp beauty and its devotee, the rare forest ringlet butterfly - pēpepe pōuri


As far as native sedges go, Gahnia pauciflora is one of the most elegant. Its tufted form with bright-green to yellow green foliage is crowned with flower panicles held well above the razor-sharp leaves. Spectacular on banks and outcrops with its graceful, drooping flowerheads. This native perennial sedge definitely deserves plenty of room to showcase its form. A delightful addition to your garden and a very useful plant for dry dappled shade.



Gahnia pauciflora
Gahnia sp. in its natural habitat on a bank in a Kauri forest - Coromandel Peninsula. Photo by Gabriela V.

Its natural habitats are coastal to montane areas (up to 800m a.s.l.) from forest to shrubland. Flowering occurs from September through to January. The inflorescences are much branched with small, crowded wind-pollinated flowers, followed by fruits which may be present on the plant throughout the year.



Gahnia seeds
Seeds often stay on the plant throughout the year. Photo by Jeremy R. Rolfe
Gahnia seeds
Orange-brown nuts that feature a distinctive black apex. When chewed impart a distinct vanilla flavour. Photo by Gabriela V.

Gahnia pauciflora plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as it serves as both a host and food plant for the rare and beautiful forest ringlet butterfly (Dodonidia helmsii). This species is so specialised that it only lays eggs on a couple of species of native sedges.




This NZ native butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, is the only species in the genus Dodonidia. The forest ringlet butterfly is a strong-flying species, found in low to moderate altitude forests up to the tree-line, especially around open forest clearings.



forest ringlet butterfly
The markings on its wings give an impression of the eyes of a much larger animal, warning potential predators to stay away. http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_naturalsciences-object-692390?p=6&srt=az&pht=True&dept=entomology&ordinal=103#gallery

The adult female deposits her eggs on the underside of the sedge. They hatch in about three weeks. The caterpillars are nocturnal and feed on the "cutty sedge" (Gahnia) and bush snowgrass (Chinocloa) from spring to early autumn. They go into hibernation over winter, nestled in the base of the plant.



forest ringlet caterpillar
The luminous green caterpillars grow to about 34mm. Photo by Carey Knox. http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/197071-Dodonidia-helmsii/browse_photos

By early summer, the fully grown caterpillars form a chrysalis, and 20 days later, a beautiful butterfly emerges. Forest ringlet butterfly live for approximately one month and can be spotted drinking the nectar of mānuka flowers.

With a bit of luck, you might be able to spot one this summer on your bush walk.







Source:


New Zealand Plant Conservation Network 2025. Retrieved from http://www.nzpcn.org.nz

iNaturalist NZ. Retrieved from http://www.inaturalist.nz

Nature's Grace Aotearoa. Retrieved from http://www.naturesgrace.co.nz

Nelson Natives. Retrieved from http://www.nelsonnatives.co.nz

Auckland Museum. Retrieved from http://www.aucklandmuseum.com

Cosmopolitan Globetrotter - forever for ever, ake ake

Updated: Sep 18, 2025

akeake, dodonea viscosa purpurea, flowers
Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea', ake ake. Photo by Gabriela V.

Notable for its extremely wide distribution over all the continents except Antarctica, by means of oceanic dispersal, Dodonea exhibits a remarkable adaptability, versatility, and resilience.


This attractive, fast-growing shrub or small tree found in coastal to lowland forests, occupies a range of habitats from dune-fields and boulder beaches through to coastal scrub. It prefers sheltered position in full sun with well-drained, moist soil.


Growing to about 3m tall (although in favorable conditions this could be more), its resistance to salinity, drought, and pollution and tollerance of strong winds places this species as the top contestant for multiple uses in a garden situation. Whether as a decorative solo specimen showcasing its fabulous form, a windbreak, or utilised as an attractive hedge. Its leaves display a translucent quality in the sun and when planting to backlight the tree will create a mottled, dappled shadow. Dodonaea viscosa brings subtle beauty and elegance to a garden space.


With its red to dark orange, stringy and flaky bark, it invites us to showcase this quality by lifting the crown and thus exposing the trunk, providing space for lower-growing companion planting at the same time.


Flowering occurs through spring to mid-summer. Male and female flowers usually appear on separate plants; pollen is transported by anemophily (distributed by wind). The fruit that follows is a capsule with two to four wings and is sometimes mistaken for the flowers.




Dodonaea viscosa is named after the Flemish physician and botanist Rembert Dodoens ( 1517 - 1585 ); viscosa- meaning sticky ( young growth and buds are sticky ). In New Zealand, we also refer to this indigenous species as 'ake ake' in the Māori language, which can be translated as 'for ever for ever'.


It is the heaviest of New Zealand native woods and was utilised by the Māori people for making taiaha, patu, and other weapons as well as gardening tools. Medicinal uses have also been recorded.


Its ecological services extend to providing food and shelter for a diverse range of native birds, lizzards and insects, making ake ake a valuable addition to any garden.

 



Source:

New Zealand Plant conservation Network 2025. Retrieved from http://www.nzpcn.org.nz

Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research 2025. Retrieved from http://landcareresearch.co.nz

University of Auckland. Retrieved from http://www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz

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