Botanical Name:
Clianthus puniceus
Common Name:
Kaka beak, kowhai ngutu-kaka
Pronunciation:
klih-AN-thus pun-IK-ee-us
Family:
Fabaceae
Description:
NZ native shrub with large pendulous clusters of bright red, pink or white flowers in Spring.
Leaves with many pairs of dull green leaflets arranged along a central stalk.
Flowers are 80mm long, the fruit that follows is a green pea-like pod that splits releasing the numerous hard small blotched seeds.
Kaka beak has a sprawling form, making it suitable to train as a climber or espalier.
Arching branches with fine fern like leaves. Protect from heavy frosts. Prefers a free draining site
H: up to 2m
Uses:
Feature shrub for in a NZ native planting theme or tropical theme, grown for the Spring flowers can be enjoyed.
Propagation:
By seed or cuttings
Reference:
The gardeners encycolpedia of new zealand native plants by Yvonne Cave & Valda Paddison
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