6 Heketara Tree Daisy Facts

Heketara is an endemic tree daisy in New Zealand. Here are 6 facts about this tree that has lovely clusters of white flowers in the spring.

The native forests of New Zealand are lush, full of vegetation from the emergent Rata and Rimu trees to the tangled mass of supplejack pine in the understory and the many epiphytes covering the branches. There is a huge variety of life everywhere, but most of it is various shades of green. Thus, it’s exciting to see some white flowers that stand out! Heketara or a tree daisy is a showoff in the spring with its profusion of white flowers.

6 Heketara Tree Daisy Facts

There are about 32 species of tree daisies in New Zealand. Some of them grow like shrubs, but about 20 of them grow into small trees that are 3 – 10 meters tall. This particular species grows shorter within the bush (up to a few meters tall), but can grow as tall as 8 m in clearings or open areas.

Heketara is the Maori name for this endemic plant. I think it’s important to learn not only the common name, but also the Maori name for the native flora and fauna of the country. It’s a sign of respect to know the local name and the pronunciation of it. It’s kind of like knowing the Latin name earns you respect within the scientific community, knowing the Maori name is good within the New Zealand community.

Now that you know the Maori name, it’s time for the Latin name. Olearia rani is the scientific name for this tree daisy.

This tree daisy grows in lowland forest throughout the North Island and the top of the South Island. It is most commonly found growing around the edges of forest or along streams and rivers. It grows up to about 950 metres in elevation and can be found around both North Egmont and Dawson Falls Visitor Centres on Mt. Taranaki.

Heketara produces beautiful clusters of white, daisy like flowers with yellow centres in the spring (November). An interesting tradition is that if the hekektara is blooming abundantly in the spring, a long summer will follow.

To help with identification of this endemic tree – the leaves are a light green on top and whitish underneath. They’re even a bit hairy or wooly underneath and feel leathery to the touch. They are toothed around the edges and are arranged alternately on the stem. If you look at the undersides of the leaf you can see the darker coloured veins easily.