puawananga the white clematis that announces spring in the forest
- Size
- Length: 1000 cm
- Lifespan
- 20–40 years
- Diet
- Not applicable (vine). Photosynthetic climber.
- Habitat
- Lowland and coastal forests, forest margins and scrub. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Climbs trees and shrubs using twining leaf stalks. Often found in regenerating forest and along forest edges.
- Range
- Throughout New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. Most common in lowland and coastal forests. Also found on the Chatham Islands. Endemic to New Zealand.
- Endemism
- Endemic
- Main Threats
- Habitat loss from land clearance is the primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. No significant commercial use. Climate change affecting forest habitats.
- Population
- Populations are considered stable in remaining forest fragments. The species is common in lowland forests throughout New Zealand. It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums.
- Conservation Status
- Not Threatened
New Zealand's most spectacular native clematis produces masses of large, white, star-shaped flowers in spring that cover the forest canopy like snow. The flowers are among the largest of any native clematis, reaching up to 8 centimetres across. They have four petal-like sepals that are pure white, sometimes with a greenish tinge. The flowers are produced in such profusion that they can completely cover the foliage. A vine that becomes a cloud.
The fluffy seed heads are also ornamental. After flowering, the seeds develop with long, silky tails that catch the light and shimmer in the wind. The seed heads persist for months, adding winter interest to the forest canopy. The leaves are divided into three leaflets, each leaflet heart-shaped or oval with toothed margins. A plant that gives two seasons of beauty.
The species is a deciduous climber, losing its leaves in winter. The stems are woody at the base, becoming thinner and more flexible towards the tips. It climbs using twining leaf stalks that wrap around branches and stems. The plant can grow to 10 metres or more, reaching the canopy of tall trees. A vine that aims for the sky.
Puawananga is a popular garden plant for its stunning spring display. It requires well-drained soil and partial shade. It is hardy and tolerates moderate frost. In the wild, it is most common in lowland forests, particularly in warm, humid areas. A plant of the forest edge, where the light is bright and the soil is rich.
In spring, the forest turns white. The flowers hang from the canopy like dropped stars. The bees buzz. The birds call. Then the petals fall, and the green returns.
The puawananga does not mourn the loss. It just climbs higher, reaching for the next gap in the canopy, the next patch of sun, the next spring when it will bloom again.