Fuscospora cliffortioides, syn Nothofagus cliffortioides, tawhairauriki or mountain beech is endemic to the North and South Islands. It is common from the Central Volcanic Plateau and adjacent main axial ranges of the North Island south. It is found in montane forest and subalpine forest and scrub. Often forming a dense, almost monospecific forest especially along the main North Island axial ranges and along the drier, eastern side of the South Island where it is a predominant species in alpine forest. Very close to black beech (Nothofagus solandri) from which it differs by the ovate leaves with acute to subacute apices, obscure leaf venation and by the glabrous ovary of the flower. Appears to prefer drier conditions than black beech, and has a greater altitudinal range, though it is often sympatric with black beech. Nevertheless, many botanists prefer to regard it is a variety of black beech, some even disregard it altogether preferring to treat mountain and black beech as the one species N. solandri.  It flowers from November to January with seed following from February to April. It is important because it is the main host for yellow mistletoe (Alepis flavida) and red mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala). It makes a great feature plant in the garden, and forms a spreading tree that grows up to 25m high. Hardy to frosts and tolerant of wind exposure, it grows well in wet boggy or poorly drained soils as it needs adequate moisture. It prefers to be planted in a spot that gives it filtered sunlight. Young plants are very quick growing but do best in cool climates.

Muehlenbeckia astonii,  shrubby tororaro or  shrubby pohuehue is  endemic to the North and South Islands. In the North Island known from Honeycomb Light (Eastern Wairarapa) south to Cape Palliser and just west of Sinclair Head. In the South Island in Marlborough formerly present on the Wairau Bar and Wither Hills, now known only from Clifford Bay, the lower Awatere Catchment to Cape Campbell and Kekerengu. Also in North Canterbury, on Banks Peninsula near Lake Forsyth and on Kaitorete Spit. An old herbarium specimen in Kew suggests it may have once been in the lower Waitaki Valley, South Canterbury.  It grows in coastal to lowland areas. This species is associated with grey scrub communities, largely confined to drier lowland parts of eastern New Zealand. It is found on moderate to high fertility soils. The plant is often found in association with Coprosma crassifolia, Coprosma propinqua (mikimiki), Muehlenbeckia complexa (small-leaved pohuehue), Discaria toumatou,(matagouri), Olearia solandri ,(coastal tree daisy), Ozothamnus leptophyllus (tauhinu) and Rubus squarrosus (leafless lawyer).  It is a deciduous, gynodioecious shrub (having some individual plants bearing female flowers only and others bearing hermaphrodite flowers only) that forms a dense, interwoven masses up to 4 x 4 m. It has numerous slender  branchlets, flexuous, divaricating and interlacing with small almost heart-shaped leaves. It has green or white flowers, on short, axillary fascicles from  August - January (- May), followed by fruit on female plants from  October - June.  Fruit are a small dark three-angled nut with dull faces surrounded by the remnants of the flower which may be either dry and brown, or swollen white and succulent. Its survival in the wild is threatened by lack of regeneration due to competition from exotic grasses, browsing animals and trampling. It is also threatened by loss of its original habitat through disturbance, fragmentation and fire. Many of the shrubby tororaro that survive in the wild are single plants isolated from others of their species. Because male and female flowers occur on separate plants, these specimens have no opportunities to reproduce.

Everyone has there favourite native plant, maybe more than one! What is your favourite, and why is it your favourite? Comment, and let us know, we will feature it in a post! We have too many favourites here, but below are photos of just a few of ours!

 Carpodetus serratus, putaputaweta, or marble-leaf is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is found from sea-level to 1000m asl. in coastal, lowland and mountain forests and along streamsides throughout these islands. A easily recognised, small to medium sized tree that grows 3 to 9m tall with pale greyish bark on a trunk up to 25cm through. As a juvenile plant it has very slender zig-zagging almost divaricating branclets, but becomes a well shaped tree in maturity, that has very distinctive dark green toothed leaves that have have a lighter marbling on the surface, hence its common name. It has masses of small white star-shaped fragrant flowers (see photo) that often cover the whole tree from November to March, that are followed by dark purple, almost black fruit. It is very hardy, and grows resonably quickly, but prefers a deep, good to moderate soil. It can withstand drier soils but prefers to have adequate moisture. It has a very sappy wood that makes it difficult to burn, but the wood itself is very strong and tough, but not that durable when exposed to the weather. It has been used to make handles for tools. Plant material was first collected in Queen Charlotte Sound by Banks and Solander during Captain Cook's first voyage.

Phormium tenax, harakeke or flax is indigenous to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. A broad circumscription has been adopted here - many botanists feel that plants from the Chatham Islands could be distinguished at species rank from the mainland New Zealand species, other distinctive variants occur on the Three Kings and outer Hauraki Gulf Islands, and along the Kaikoura coast. Norfolk Island plants are uniformly different in subtle ways from the New Zealand forms of P. tenax. Further study into this variation is underway.
It is commonly found from lowland and coastal areas to montane forest, usually but not exclusively, in wetlands and in open ground along riversides. Very commonly cultivated throughout New Zealand and in many parts of the world. However, most cultivated material available is a mixture of hybrid, variegated and/or colour mutations. The actual wild forms of the species are now rarely available in garden centres and nurseries, apart from specialist Native plant nurseries. A rigid upright flax from 1-3m high, which produces bronzy red flowers on flower stalks up to 5 m high Nov to Jan. Will tolerate a wide range of growing situations, from swamp land to normal garden conditions. It is hardy to frosts, tolerant of coastal winds. Maori had numerous uses for the flax leave fibres from making clothing through to making baskets and rope. Maori have drawn the abundant nectar from the flowers as a general sweetener. Many medicinal uses makes the plant even more important to the everyday health of Maori. Boiled and crushed harakeke roots are applied externally as a poultice for boils, tumours and abscesses, as well as to varicose ulcers. Juice from the pounded roots can be generally used as a disinfectant, and taken internally to relieve constipation or expel worms. It has also been applied to bullet or bayonet wounds. The gum-like sap produced by harakeke contains enzymes that give it blood clotting and antiseptic qualities to help healing processes. Maori are fully aware of its curative properties and that it is a mild anaesthetic, and apply the sap to boils and various wounds, to aching teeth, to rheumatic and associated pains, ringworm and various skin irritations, and scalds and burns. Splints can be fashioned from korari (flower stalks) and leaves, and fine cords of muka fibre utilise the styptic properties of the gel before being used to stitch wounds. Harakeke leaves make excellent bandages and can secure broken bones much as plaster is used today. The pulp of pounded leaves can also be applied as dressings. Oil from New Zealand flax seed was first commercially produced in 1993 by the Waihi Bush organic farm in the South Island of New Zealand flax seed oil has high levels of Omega-3, and provides an alternative to taking fish oil. New oil blends with other ingredients are being researched and produced. Flax seed oil that can be bought in many countries (aka linseed oil) is extracted from the seeds of the European flax, a plant that belongs to a completely different plant family.

Myosotidium hortensia,  Kopakopa, Kopukapuka  or Chatham Island forget-me-not is endemic to the Chatham Islands. It is found on Chatham (Rekohu), Pitt, South East, Mangere and most of the smaller islands, islets and some rock stacks. This nationally vulnerable plant is found on coastal cliffs, rock outcrops, sandy and rocky beaches just above the strand zone and coastal forest openings. It is a robust, perennial herb, forming patches up to 1m tall by 1.0–1.5m diameter with a stout, cylindrical  root stock that gets woody with age,  and rather  large fleshy  dark green to yellow-green leaves. Its flowers are produced from October to April, in dense clusters 15cm wide and range from pale to dark blue. This is a coastal plant in nature, and it prefers a moist semi shaded spot, but will tolerate  exposed site and medium frosts.  Its nationally vulnerable status is due is because it has been reduced to scattered remnants by farming, competition from marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and the depredations of feral animals, such as cattle, horses, sheep, possums, pigs, rats and weka who trample, uproot and browse plants. Possums, rodents, and weka are serious predators of flowers and fruits. Weed encroachment, especially by marram grass, has eliminated this species from loss of its former dune habitat. Removing whole plants for private use in gardens is an on going problem for the more accessible populations. Coastal development destroyed the only known white-flowered wild plants, and remains a potential threat elsewhere.

Hoheria lyallii or Mountain lacebark is endemic to the South Island, where it is mostly known from eastern Canterbury and Marlborough with a disjunct population in Nelson (Kahurangi National Park). It is found in montane and subalpine areas in the upper forest margins, and occasionally on river and stream terraces where it may be found in groves. It is a small spreading soft-wooded deciduous tree of up to 8m tall, inhabiting dryer mountain areas of the South Island. It has thin leaves that are covered in small hairs, widest at base and narrowing to point, margin with many uneven blunt teeth and some deeper divisions, on long stalks. It has white cupped flowers from November to February that develop into a dry narrowly-winged fruit.  In a garden situation this extremely attractive species prefers a damp soil in a sunny site, and does best in cooler climates. It dislikes humidity and will not flower in warmer climates unless it is subjected to cold treatment . It is named after David Lyall (1817-1895), a 19th century Scottish naturalist and surgeon with the Royal Navy, who explored Antarctica, New Zealand, the Arctic and North America and was a lifelong friend of Sir Joseph Hooker.

Trees for Canterbury is strongly linked to the local community, providing environmental education, providing native plants and undertaking planting’s with community organisations and schools throughout Canterbury.
Trees for Canterbury was founded in 1990 and has developed into a fully functional nursery and welfare-providing organisation. Many of the native plants grown are utilised in community and revegetation projects; the remainder is sold at the nursery to provide a degree of self-funding. It is a registered NZ Charity, No CC21134. Check out our story at https://youtu.be/MT8scotF9N0
Remember as a Social Enterprise, that Trees for Canterbury is a Not-for-profit Community organisation that runs on public support so please support this project through its community projects and at the nursery.
Our Mission
• Employ; establishing a sense of involvement in the community for disadvantaged people (physically, intellectually, socially and at risk youth) and providing an environment of acceptance as well as support and training for self-development – instilling self-esteem and work habit.

• Educate; working with educational institutions, providing assistance in the teaching of environmental awareness.

• Regenerate; cultivating native plants for community planting’s and our own revegetation projects using plant material eco-sourced from local areas.

Our Christchurch based nursery in Charlesworth St provides services for 60-80 clients and also produces in excess of 100,000 native plants each year. On average, 45000 of these plants are planted and/or donated in/to the community each year. These figures will grow as we become more settled into our premises. We have three full time and three part time staff.
We have developed our own carbon calculator as a simple tool for small business’ and individuals to calculate their current footprint. People will be able to decide to either do nothing or donate money towards plantings on reserve land. This helps with biodiversity and also carbon offsetting.
Trees for Canterbury is strongly linked to the local community, providing environmental education, providing trees and undertaking planting’s with community organisations and schools throughout Canterbury.
Awards
Winner of the 2017 Champion Canterbury Community Impact Award for a small enterprise.
World Harmony Run, Torch Bearers Award for services to the community and the environment.
Civic Trust Award for contributing to the environment and encouraging bio-diversity in our region.
Finalist 2013 Green Ribbon Awards
Finalist 2011, Green Ribbon Awards
We have also been Highly Commended for, Caring for our biodiversity by the Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Award.
2006 Community Service Award from the Hagley Ferrymead Community Board
City of Christchurch Environment Award for Service to the Environment Section 2001.
Winner of the Christchurch Environment Centre 2000 Green Heart Award.
Overall Winner Of the 1996 Resource Management Awards and the Community Interest Category.

Sophora microphylla , kowhai, weeping kowhai,  or small-leaved kowhai is endemic to areas throughout the main islands of New Zealand but scarce in parts of Northland. In the North Island, especially the northern half this is a species of mainly riparian forest, and South of about Hamilton it can be found in a diverse range of habitats from coastal cliff faces and associated wetlands to inland grey scrub communities. It is scarce to absent over large parts of the eastern North Island from about East Cape south to the northern Wairarapa. A tree up to 25 m tall, usually a single trunk, it has weeping, and spreading branches. Juveniles are divaricating and/or strongly flexuose, and interlacing.  The seedlings are sparsely to moderately leafy, and can be distinguished from the other Kowhai species by the divaricating/filiramulate juvenile and arborescent adult, leaves. It has bright yellow flowers (May-) August to October. These flowers are considered New Zealands national flower.