PLAGIANTHUS DIVARICATUS (Makaka)

7cm     $2.25

Plagianthus divaricatus or salt-marsh ribbonwood is a bushy shrub endemic to New Zealand with thin twiggy intertwined stems that have small clusters of narrow leaves. Its branches are divaricate in form and it can reach up to 3 m tall. It can present as both open and twiggy, or the opposite as wiry and tightly knit. In spring it produces masses of small cream five petaled flowers. Its flowers are creamy white with purple tinged edges and are small and drooping. Only the male flowers are sweet smelling. It has small white fruit, approximately 5 mm wide. The shrub is found in coastal environments in areas with salt swamp, sandy banks and throughout estuaries. It is cold hardy and can tolerate salt winds and wet soils.