Melicytus alpinus - Porcupine shrub
An extraordinary creeping shrub of demanding environments, and well-named, it's weather-bleached external branches looking very much like the silvery quills of a porcupine, though somewhat shorter and more coarse. A highly divaricated shrub native to New Zealand where the small leaves are internal, protected from browsers and the elements by the external frame of angular spikes. Often found in association with other species of "grey shrubland" found in coastal and/or dry alpine areas. Quite architectural and striking it is becoming more popular as a feature garden plant. A marvelous habitat for lizards which return the protection it provides by helping disperse the seeds by eating the small fleshy fruits. Photographed on the Kaitorete Spit.
Melicytus alpinus - Porcupine shrub
An extraordinary creeping shrub of demanding environments, and well-named, it's weather-bleached external branches looking very much like the silvery quills of a porcupine, though somewhat shorter and more coarse. A highly divaricated shrub native to New Zealand where the small leaves are internal, protected from browsers and the elements by the external frame of angular spikes. Often found in association with other species of "grey shrubland" found in coastal and/or dry alpine areas. Quite architectural and striking it is becoming more popular as a feature garden plant. A marvelous habitat for lizards which return the protection it provides by helping disperse the seeds by eating the small fleshy fruits. Photographed on the Kaitorete Spit.