Plantago novae-zelandiae
NZ Plantain, also known as New Zealand Plantain, is a distinctive and specialized endemic New Zealand perennial herb that forms small but attractive rosettes from a substantial primary root up to 15mm thick, featuring up to 40 narrowly angular-ovate to angular-ovate leaves measuring 23-88mm long including petiole and up to 19mm wide with distinctive punctate surfaces and visible short rust-colored axillary hairs in the basal rosette. This remarkable alpine specialist produces ellipsoid seeds (typically 1-4 per capsule) that are notably larger at 1.3-2.1mm long compared to its relatives, distinguished by its unique chromosome number (2n = 24) and specialized adaptations including 1-3 leaf veins, acute leaf apices, and smooth to wavy or minutely-toothed leaf edges that enable survival in challenging high-altitude environments. Thriving in subalpine to alpine herbfields, grasslands, scrub, bogs, tarns, flushes, and rocky outcrops from 900-1700m elevation in both North and South Islands, this facultative wetland species demonstrates remarkable adaptation to damp to very wet mountainous conditions where it forms persistent populations that contribute to the unique character of New Zealand's high-country flora. With its specialized habitat requirements, distinctive taxonomic features that distinguish it from related Plantago species, and endemic status representing millions of years of evolutionary adaptation to New Zealand's mountain environments, this challenging but scientifically significant species makes an excellent choice for specialized alpine collections, botanical research, and native plant enthusiasts interested in New Zealand's unique high-altitude plant diversity. alpine plants
Image credit: NZ Plantain (Plantago novae-zelandiae). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Plantago novae-zelandiae |
|---|---|
| Height | Small rosette (up to 40 leaves) |
| Spread | Rosette form up to 19cm wide |
| Water Needs | High (damp to very wet conditions) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade (alpine conditions) |
| Frost Tolerance | Excellent (high alpine native) |
| Salt Tolerance | Poor (alpine species) |
| Growth Rate | Slow (alpine conditions) |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
NZ Plantain thrives in cool, alpine conditions with high moisture and excellent drainage. It requires specialized growing conditions that mimic its natural high-altitude mountain habitat with consistent moisture and cool temperatures.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Poor (too warm and humid) |
| Auckland | Poor (too warm and humid) |
| Hamilton | Poor (too warm and humid) |
| Tauranga | Poor (too warm and humid) |
| Rotorua | Moderate (cooler highland) |
| Gisborne | Poor (too warm) |
| New Plymouth | Moderate (alpine house only) |
| Napier | Poor (too warm and dry) |
| Whanganui | Moderate (alpine house) |
| Palmerston North | Moderate (alpine house) |
| Wellington | Good (cooler, windy) |
| Nelson | Good (natural range) |
| Christchurch | Ideal (cool climate, natural range) |
| Dunedin | Ideal (cool climate, natural range) |
| Invercargill | Ideal (natural range) |
NZ Plantain has specific alpine wetland soil preferences:
High altitude light conditions:
High moisture needs with drainage:
NZ Plantain requires absolutely minimal maintenance:
The distinctive small rosette growth habit and punctate leaves are the main attractions and should never be disturbed - this plant's value lies in its natural alpine form.
The best time to plant NZ Plantain is during spring when active growth begins, though this extremely challenging alpine specialist requires very specific conditions and is rarely available in cultivation.
Choose a site with:
Maintain consistent moisture in cool conditions with excellent air circulation. This is one of the most challenging New Zealand alpine plants to cultivate and is typically only attempted by specialist alpine growers with appropriate facilities.
Growing from seed is theoretically possible but extremely challenging:
Division is extremely risky but theoretically possible:
This alpine wetland specialist is rarely available in cultivation and requires extremely specialized conditions that mimic its natural high-altitude bog habitat. Best left to experienced alpine research facilities.
NZ Plantain (Plantago novae-zelandiae) represents both the unique evolutionary journey of New Zealand's endemic alpine flora and the specialized taxonomic distinctions that develop in isolated mountain environments:
Today, NZ Plantain serves as an excellent example of New Zealand's endemic alpine diversity and taxonomic complexity, representing both the specialized evolution required for survival in extreme mountain wetland environments and the scientific importance of distinguishing endemic species from their relatives.
Provide cool alpine conditions with consistent moisture and perfect drainage. This species is extremely challenging to cultivate and should only be attempted by specialist alpine growers with appropriate controlled environment facilities. Most problems stem from inappropriate temperature or moisture conditions.
NZ Plantain is definitely not a plant for most gardeners - this is a true high-alpine specialist that lives in bogs, tarns, and wet mountain environments between 900-1700m elevation! The tiny rosettes with their distinctive punctate (dotted) leaves and rust-colored hairs are fascinating, and the scientific story is incredible - it has a different chromosome number (2n = 24) from its closest relative, making it a genuinely distinct species. The seeds are also much larger and more elliptical than related plantains. This is really a plant for alpine botanists and research collections rather than home gardens. If you're interested in New Zealand's alpine flora evolution, this species represents the amazing diversity that develops in isolated mountain environments. Best admired in its natural habitat or specialized botanical collections with controlled alpine conditions.
Learn more about New Zealand's mountain flora in Alpine Plants.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Native plantain plays important ecological roles in New Zealand's coastal and grassland ecosystems, where its rosette growth form helps stabilize soils and provides habitat for diverse ground-dwelling invertebrates and specialized organisms. The plant's flowers provide nectar resources for native insects, while its seeds support various native bird species. Its ability to establish in challenging coastal conditions and disturbed areas makes it valuable for natural succession and ecosystem recovery processes.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
While not currently threatened, native plantain faces ongoing challenges from habitat modification, competition from introduced plantain species, and intensive land use that can reduce available habitat. The species' traditional medicinal importance adds cultural significance to conservation efforts, while its ecological roles in coastal and grassland environments make it valuable for biodiversity conservation. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining natural grassland and coastal habitats, controlling invasive species, distinguishing it from introduced plantains, and supporting sustainable traditional use practices.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
This native plantain was valued by Māori for its medicinal properties, with the leaves used to treat wounds, cuts, and skin conditions through direct application or preparation of healing ointments, earning recognition as one of the traditional healing plants. The plant's presence in coastal and grassland environments made it accessible for traditional medicine, while its distinctive appearance made it recognizable among native herbs. The species continues to hold cultural significance for its traditional medicinal uses and represents the sophisticated traditional knowledge of plant healing properties.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
