Disphyma australe
(Horokaka, Coastal Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe
(Horokaka, Coastal Ice Plant)

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Details:

Foliage Colour: Pale-Green
Growth Rate: Fast
Mature Height: 0.2 m
Mature Width: 0.5 m
Site Condition: Coastal, Exposed, Frost Tolerant, Sandy Soil, Salty, Windy
Sun: Full Sun
Drainage: Dry
Category: Creeper
Features: Native. Suitable for bordering or edging and ground cover. Flower colour: Violet. Suitable restoration species.

Disphyma australe, Horokaka, commonly known as the NZ Native Ice Plant, this is a fast-growing groundcover that is found naturally along coast lines. Plants carry thick and succulent leaves which enable it to survive extended periods of dry. It features pale pink and white daisy-like flowers in summer that open and close with the sun. This succulent typically grows to 20 cm tall and 50 cm wide, preferring a full sun position with good drainage. This plant is commonly used as a groundcover where it can grow over rocks or planted to spill over the edge of retaining walls. It also makes for a fantastic indoor plant and is well suited to planting around outdoor living areas. It is often included in coastal plantings to help retain sand. Please note that plants can be frost sensitive when young.

History of use: Early Europeans pickled the leaves and the ripe fruit was eaten raw. Maoris treated boils with juices from the leaves.

Habitat: It is a coastal plant and is rarely found inland. Mostly found on cliff faces, rock stacks, and boulder/cobble beaches, more rarely in saltmarsh and estuaries. Often in petrel scrub on offshore islands, and extending into coastal forest around petrel burrows. Often where seabirds nest it is the only plant growing.

Flowering: Present throughout the year
Fruiting:    Present throughout the year

Tags: Rongoa

Prices

  Each 20 or more
2l Pot $8.50 $8.00

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