Table of Contents
Where do kowhai trees grow best?
New Zealand
They grow from a seed in the ground to become a tree up to 25 m high. It’s found throughout New Zealand in a diverse range of habitats from riparian forests, coastal cliff faces to inland grey scrub communities.
How do you look after a kowhai tree?
Care after germination
- Once seedlings appear keep them in full sun.
- Do not over-water.
- Your new seedlings can stay in their punnet until they are about 8 cm tall and roots are beginning to come out the bottom of the pot.
- At this point it’s time to move them on to a larger pot on their own.
How do kowhai trees survive?
Kowhai are frost hardy and moderately wind and drought tolerant. They do not grow well on hard or waterlogged soils, being best on moderately fertile sites.
Why are kowhai trees found near water?
The kowhai is famous for its bright yellow very hard seeds. Because kowhai lived on riverbanks the seeds would drop into the water and float great distances before settling into sand and growing. To get kowhai seeds to grow you must soak them well in water first.
Are there any kowhai trees in New Zealand?
Eight species of kōwhai are now recognised in New Zealand in the genus Sophora. All are endemic to New Zealand. S. tetraptera. Most species of kōwhai are trees but two species, S. molloyi and S. prostrata, have a prostrate or bushy growth habit.
What do kowhai trees look like in art?
Kōwhai imagery is popular in art works and has been used on postage stamps and coins. Kōwhai trees have small leaflets and juvenile branches on some species are twisted and tangled.
What kind of birds eat the kowhai tree?
Native birds such as the tui, bellbird, kākā and New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkū/kūkupa all benefit from kōwhai trees. Tui and bellbird and New Zealand wood pigeon/kererū/kūkū/kūkupa feast on leaves and flowers – kōwhai are an important seasonal nectar food source for them.
What kind of habit does a kowhai have?
S. tetraptera. Most species of kōwhai are trees but two species, S. molloyi and S. prostrata, have a prostrate or bushy growth habit. S. prostrata and S. microphylla both have a divaricating juvenile habit which, for S. prostrata, is retained throughout its life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8i9WIBhZyc