Holloway's Crystalwort
Atriplex hollowayi
A rare, endemic coastal saltbush of foredunes and upper beaches. Plants are halophytic and adapted to shifting sands and salt-laden winds. Populations have declined severely due to habitat loss and competition from invasive plants. coastal .
Plant Description
Botanical Features
Atriplex hollowayi, or Holloway's Crystalwort, is a low-growing, succulent annual herb. It forms a small, branched shrub up to 30cm tall. The stems and spoon-shaped leaves are pale green and covered in glistening, bladder-like scales, giving the plant a "sugar-frosted" or crystalline appearance. This coating helps reflect intense coastal sunlight and conserve water.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Atriplex hollowayi |
|---|---|
| Status | Nationally Threatened (NZTCS) |
| Habitat | Upper beaches and foredunes |
| Tolerance | High salt, drought, shifting sand |
| Threats | Habitat loss, invasive plants, human disturbance |
| Height | Variable by habitat |
| Spread | Forms clumps or patches |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate; free-draining soils |
| Light | Full sun |
| Frost Tolerance | High - tolerant of severe freezes |
| Salt Tolerance | Moderate to high (coastal species) |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Climate Suitability
Regional Adaptability
Content for Atriplex hollowayi ( Atriplex hollowayi ).
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Suitable |
| Auckland | Suitable |
| Hamilton | Suitable |
| Tauranga | Suitable |
| Rotorua | Suitable |
| Gisborne | Suitable |
| New Plymouth | Suitable |
| Napier | Suitable |
| Whanganui | Suitable |
| Palmerston North | Suitable |
| Wellington | Suitable |
| Nelson | Suitable |
| Christchurch | Suitable |
| Dunedin | Suitable |
| Invercargill | Suitable |
Habitat
Natural Distribution
occurs in natural habitats characteristic of Aotearoa, forming part of distinctive plant communities where site stress and local disturbance shape vegetation patterns. It favours exposed slopes, screes or fellfields with thin, rapidly drained mineral soils, enduring intense radiation, wind and freeze-thaw cycles. On the coast it occupies sunny, wind‑prone sites with sandy or rocky substrates, where salt‑laden air and periodic drought limit competition. These preferences explain its patchy distribution and sensitivity to changes in hydrology, competition and disturbance regimes. Atriplex hollowayi
Conservation & Recovery
Current Threats and Protection
Support restoration by controlling invasive dune plants, limiting trampling, and planting propagated stock in suitable protected sites under permit and guidance.
Growing Requirements
Soil
Pure, loose beach sand. Requires excellent drainage and aeration.
Light
Full sun. Cannot tolerate any shade.
Water
Relies on rainfall and coastal moisture. Tolerates salt spray and transient drought.
Planting Guide
Best Planting Practices
Use in coastal restoration projects with species like Spinifex sericeus and Ficinia spiralis . Plant into sand mounds; protect from trampling.
Ecological Role
Strand Line Specialist
This plant occupies a precarious niche: the strand line just above the high tide mark. It is a pioneer species of unstable sand. As an annual, it completes its lifecycle rapidly, flowering and setting seed before winter storms potentially reshape its habitat. Its seeds are dispersed by tides and require seawater immersion to break dormancy.
Uses
Traditional and Modern Applications
Ideal for rock and gravel gardens that emulate alpine processes, or for specialised collections. Suited to sunny, maritime gardens with sandy or rocky soils where wind and salt are considerations.
Landscaping Uses
Garden Design Applications
Excellent for rock gardens, alpine collections, and naturalistic plantings. Best used in open, well-drained positions where its distinctive form can be appreciated. Combines well with other native alpine plants and provides year-round structure. Consider placement carefully due to sharp foliage - avoid high-traffic areas. Creates dramatic focal points in contemporary and native-themed garden designs.
Seasonal Care
Year-Round Maintenance
Spring management focuses on removing winter-damaged foliage and assessing drainage. Summer care emphasizes maintaining adequate moisture without waterlogging. Autumn preparation includes reducing irrigation and ensuring good air circulation. Winter protection may require covering in areas subject to excessive moisture. Year-round monitoring ensures early detection of problems and maintenance of optimal growing conditions.
Pruning
Pruning Techniques
Little pruning is required; remove dead or crossing material after flowering and avoid hard renovation cuts. Light tip‑pruning maintains compact form without compromising the plant’s natural character.
How to Grow Holloway's Crystalwort
From Seed
Atriplex hollowayi is a true annual, meaning its propagation is entirely dependent on seed. Seeds are naturally dispersed by tides and require exposure to seawater (saline stratification) to break dormancy and initiate germination. To cultivate from seed, collect mature seeds in autumn. For best germination rates, a period of immersion in saltwater (mimicking tidal action) followed by sowing is recommended. Sow seeds in late winter or early spring onto a substrate of pure, loose beach sand. Cover very lightly with sand, ensuring they are exposed to light. Keep the sand consistently moist with saline water (e.g., dilute seawater or a weak salt solution) during the germination period. Germination typically occurs rapidly under these conditions. Transplant seedlings carefully into their final growing positions in early spring.
General Cultivation
Holloway's Crystalwort is a highly specialized coastal plant adapted to the harsh conditions of foredunes and upper beaches. It requires full sun exposure and absolutely cannot tolerate any shade. The soil must be pure, loose beach sand, providing excellent drainage and aeration. It is a halophyte, thriving in environments with high salt spray and saline conditions. Water requirements are minimal once established, as it relies on natural rainfall and coastal moisture, tolerating transient drought. Avoid overwatering or planting in rich, organic soils, as these conditions are detrimental. Due to its annual lifecycle, the plant grows, flowers, sets seed, and dies within a single year. Cultivation efforts should focus on providing an authentic dune environment, protecting from trampling, and managing invasive species to allow its natural lifecycle to complete. Its conservation status means it is rarely grown outside of specialized restoration projects.
Pests & Diseases
Good siting prevents most problems-sharp drainage and appropriate exposure are key. Crown and root rots arise if winter wet persists; keep crowns elevated and water moving. Protect young plants from browsing where deer, goats or rabbits are present.
Cultural Significance
Conservation Taonga
Atriplex hollowayi is a taonga (treasure) species for conservation. It highlights the fragility of New Zealand's coastal dune ecosystems, which are under threat from development, vehicles, and invasive weeds. Saving this plant is about saving the natural character of our wild beaches.
Bonus Tip
Annual Lifecycle
Unlike most native plants which are evergreen perennials, Holloway's Crystalwort is a true annual. It must grow from seed, flower, and die within a single year. This "live fast, die young" strategy is an adaptation to the dynamic and often destructive environment of the storm-swept beach front.
