Delicate Tension - on the Art of Plant Mimicry, toropapa

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.

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.

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

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.

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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