Herb latin name: Olearia macrodonta


Family: Compositae



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Shrub

Height:
6 m
(20 feet)

Flowering:
July


Scent:
Scented
Shrub

Habitat of Olearia macrodonta:

Lowland to sub-alpine forest to 1300 metres, southwards from latitude 37° 30's on North and South Islands.

Other uses of the herb:

Very resistant to maritime exposure, this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas. One report says that it is tolerant of severe pruning, whilst another says that it is better not to prune severely. Moderately fast growing.

Propagation of Olearia macrodonta:

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer. Good percentage. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, November in a frame. Very easy, succeeding even when the cuttings are planted directly into their permanent positions in exposed sites.

Cultivation of the herb:

Lowland to sub-alpine forest to 1300 metres, southwards from latitude 37° 30's on North and South Islands.

Medicinal use of Olearia macrodonta:

None known

Known hazards of Olearia macrodonta:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.