Re: xenohortphobia?
Jason D wrote:
>
> NZ spinach is a bit of a weed right above high-tide
> mark near San Francisco and, I believe, elsewhere
> along the California coast (as are Pittosporum
> crassifolium and Myoporum laetum). None are noxious
> like some of the European brooms and gorses, but they
> do naturalize. Oh, and Coprosma repens and
> Metrosideros excelsa "naturalize" in cracks in the
> sidewalk in the more densely-built parts of San
> Francisco--can hardly be called weeds, more gifts.
The Metrosideros is a great favourite in NZ where it is one of that
numerous breed known worldwide as "Christmas trees", because it flaunts
its brilliant scarlet at the appropriate season. It would be presumably
limited in the States by its requirements for a relatively warm climate
(here it is naturally confined to the warmer districts of North Island,
though it can be coaxed to grow somewhat further south). My mind does
rather boggle though at the thought of what it might eventually do to a
sidewalk!
As to Coprosma repens, while there are many very striking variegated
kinds and some with pink to sunset-coloured foliage which are all
popular garden plants, the plain green wild form would most often be
considered as a nuisence weed by our local gardeners. The berries are
very attractive to birds which then deposit the seeds in all sorts of
awkward places, especially the centre of some prized camellia or other
shrub, where their shiny leaves may form an effective disguise for some
time, preventing them being spied by the less discerning gardeners. In
days gone by this was a popular hedge plant for coastal gardens, but I
haven't seen it used like this for many years. Because of the shininess
of its leaves it is sometimes called Mirror plant.
Both Ngaio and Pittosporum crassifolium are very popular for exposed
coastal planting. The Pittosporum with its strange brown flowers I like,
especially its striking light yellow variegated form, but Ngaios leave
me cold. Somehow I find their growth form remarkably unattractive.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
