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(Pseudowintera colorata)
Mountain Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata)
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John Barkla
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
John Barkla
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: John Barkla | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: John Barkla | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-02-25T12:06:57-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pseudowintera colorata, commonly known as Mountain Horopito or Pepperwood, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the cool temperate rainforests and subalpine areas of New Zealand. It typically grows to a height of 6-9 feet and a width of 2-3 feet. The species is characterized by its yellowish-green leaves that are blotched with red, with new leaves in the spring being bright red, which can add a striking contrast to garden settings. The leaves contain a compound called polygodial, which gives them a hot, peppery taste and has led to the common name Pepperwood. While it does not produce showy flowers, the foliage itself provides year-round visual interest.
Mountain Horopito is valued for its ornamental foliage, as well as its resilience in cultivation. It can be used in gardens as a feature plant or as part of a mixed border. It is also known for its antimicrobial properties and has been used traditionally in Maori herbal medicine. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. It requires medium to high amounts of water, especially in drier climates. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range, but as with all non-native plants, care should be taken to monitor its growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Mountain Horopito is valued for its ornamental foliage, as well as its resilience in cultivation. It can be used in gardens as a feature plant or as part of a mixed border. It is also known for its antimicrobial properties and has been used traditionally in Maori herbal medicine. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. It requires medium to high amounts of water, especially in drier climates. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range, but as with all non-native plants, care should be taken to monitor its growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 6-9 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Cool temperate rainforests and subalpine areas of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Pepperwood
Scientific Names: Pseudowintera colorata , Wintera colorata , Drimys colorata , Drimys axillaris var. colorata , Pseudowintera axillaris var. colorata , Wintera monogyna
GBIF Accepted Name: Pseudowintera colorata (Raoul) Dandy