Practical
Plants

Plagianthus regius

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Plagianthus genus in the family Malvaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
18 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for making ropes, twine etc. It is a substitute for raffia[7][9][3].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Raffia

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland forests on North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in early spring in a greenhouse. It usually germinates freely[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[1][5]. Layering[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in a deep well-drained humus-rich fertile soil in a sunny position[5]. This species is not very hardy in Britain but it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[4]. The hardiness of the tree depends upon its provenance in its native habitat[2]. Plants often self-sow in Cornwall[8]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  8. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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