Native seed catalogue

Plagianthus regius Ribbonwood | Mānatu

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Other known names

Lowland ribbonwood.

Seed propagation category

Hard.

Reproductive system

Dioecious – can only collect seeds from female plants.(1)

Seed collection

Seeds mature between January–March. Seeds can be collected when they are slightly green.(1)

Seed dormancy

54 days to first germination.(2) Fresh seeds will germinate within 1–2 months.(1) Another study reported seeds will germinate within 6–9 months.(3)

Pre-sowing treatments

Cool-moist stratification for 4 weeks.(4) Stratification is the process of chilling seeds to promote germination.

Seed viability

96% of seeds are viable.(2)

Germination

Germination rate of 74% when seeds sown in fruit.(2)

Propagation techniques

Germination failed under dark conditions.(2) Germination rate was lower in soil.(2) Germinate in a cool place.(4) Softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings failed.(1)

Susceptibility to disease and pests

Grub infestation.(4) Moths (Anisoplaca sp.).(5)

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Plagianthus regius, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

References

1.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand.

2.

Burrows, C J (1996) Germination behaviour of the seeds of seven New Zealand woody plant species. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34(3), 355–367. 

3.

Burrows, C J (1993) Germination requirements of the seeds of native trees, shrubs and vines. Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 27, 42–48.

4.

Olsen, M; Millner, J; Ries, T; Douglas, B (2024) Native afforestation: Review of germination. MPI Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper No: 2024/03.

5.

Sullivan, J J; Burrows, C J; Dugdale, J S (1995) Insect predation of seeds of native New Zealand woody plants in some central South Island localities. New Zealand Journal of Botany 33, 355–364. 

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