New Zealand Flowers Images courtesy of Puke Ariki “Ranunculs pinguis. A handsome plant growing on the mountain ranges of the Middle Island altitude four to five thousand feet. Flowers yellow. Some of the New Zealand species are the finest known.” “Metrosideros robusta (Rata). A tall and beautiful forest tree abundant in the North and Middle Islands. Flowers scarlet. There are several species of Rata.” “Clianthus puniceus (Kowhaingutu-kaka). A shrub with scarlet flowers; now generally cultivated in gardens. A genus of most beautiful plants consisting of an Australian (Sturt’s Pea) and a New Zealand species.” “Convolvulus Sepium (Panake). A slender climbing plant growing over shrubs and small trees at the edge of the forest. Flowers white.” “Sophora tetraptera (Kowhai). A small tree growing in North and South Islands. It is thickly covered in early spring with golden yellow flowers. The wood is exceedingly hard.” “Clematis indivisa (Puawhananga). Some Authoroties leave out the h in Puawhananga. A large strong woody climber abundant throughout New Zealand festooning trees especially on the skirts of the forest. Flowers white.” “Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka). A hardy shrub growing over the hills like heath, bearing in summer an abundance of pink and white flowers. There are several species.” “Ourisia macrophylla (Mountain Primula). A lovely species from Mount Egmont range. It flowers in January. The flowers are pure white. Ruahine Range and Upper Wairua.” “Senecio Hectori. A remarkably handsome shrub six to twelve feet high. Found by Sir James Hector on the Buller River, Nelson Province, 1872. Flowers abundantly in January. Flowers white with yellow centres. It is the most beautiful of its species.” “Plagianthus Lyallii (Hoihere, or Whau-whi). This Lace Bark is a small but very beautiful tree with a lovely display of snow white flowers open in January at Milford Sound. A slightly different by equally beautiful species grows at George Sound.” “Ranunculus Lyallii (Mount Cook Lily). A very handsome plant two to four feet high. Leaves often fifteen inches in diameter. Flowers waxy-white two to four inches in diameter. Milford Sound, Lyall and Southern Alps. The most noble species of the genus.” “Solanum aviculare (Poroporo). Shrub common in the North Island. Leaves very dark green. Flowers lilac.”