#houi

November '24 Kheil YCH - houimera

With a background hanging valley and waterfall off in the distance. I probably should have framed the photo better.

AKA Mountain Lacebark, whauwhi, whauwhau.

The flowers, from near Aoraki/Mt Cook a few days later.

One of the very few deciduous trees in Aotearoa, found only on the South Island and mostly west of the main divide. Where it's creeped over onto the eastern side of the mountains it overlaps with Hoheria lyallii. It grows to about 10m in height, in open and disturbed habitat.

The fibrous underbark of both species - known collectively as Houi by the Māori and the source of the scientific name - was used as a textile.

The seeds are winged mericarps dispersed by wind, and the best method of propagation for the garden. An extremely attractive species, that prefers cooler climates, and damp soil in a sunny site.