Dactylanthus taylori in flower
Dactylanthus (Dactylanthus taylorii) is a highly unusual plant, and holds a special place in New Zealand's indigenous flora as the only fully parasitic flowering plant and the southern most member of its mainly tropical family.
It is also called pua o te reinga, waewae atua, putiputi o te pouri and 'woodrose'. It occurs only in New Zealand.
Did you know the Maori name for dactylanthus is pua o te reinga, which translates into 'flower of the underworld'? Learn more about this unusual plant in this section.
Visit this section to learn about some of the threats to dactylanthus and the reasons for its decline.
View information on DOC's Dactylanthus taylorii Recovery Plan and find out about current conservation work.
Learn ways you can help with dactylanthus conservation efforts.
View photos and videos of the native plant dactylanthus.
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