The Wood Rose or Dactylantus is unlike all the other plants in Aotearoa as it’s our only fully parasitic flowing plant. The seed of the Wood Rose attaches itself to its host plant’s roots (typically a tree or scrub and of only around 30 species) and then grows off the roots. The plant grows a small dark red-brown flower head above ground that is actually made up of multiple smaller white flowers each millimeteres in size and blooms from February to April. The plant cannot photosynthesize as it has no leaves and so draws all its nutrients from its host, and so in turn the host's roots swell resulting in the roots becoming distorted into a rose-like shape, hence the name wood rose.
These plants can live over 30 years and like many other plants have separate flowers for the male and female versions.
Fun Fact!
Its Maori name, Pua O Te Reinga means flower of the underworld, and the plant is also referred to as the Flower of Hades.
Pollination:
The Wood Rose is mainly pollinated by the Short-Tailed Bat which is also at risk and is classified as vulnerable. As the Wood Rose is dependent on these bats it is incredibly important that the bat does not go extinct otherwise the Wood Rose would likely shortly follow.
After being pollinated, the flowers have a strong musky smell which is sometimes compared to as fermented corn.
Distribution and population:
These plants are found mainly around the Central Plateau and are the world's most Southern fully parasitic following plant as most others are found on tropical islands. This plant is a bit different and instead prefers damp but well-drained areas and is often found at the edge of streams.
The Wood Rose is classified as Vulnerable but declining. However, they grow mainly underground it is impossible to tell the true population number but it is estimated to be around few thousand.
Threats:
However awesome, the Wood Rose is sadly it faces a number of threats.
Herbivory (Predation): Aotearoa has a large number of introduced mammals many of which eat or destroy the Wood Rose, these include pigs, possums, and rats.
Habitat Loss: As this species does well in that natural Aotearoa wildlife is doesn't survive well when the environment changes. However, will more and more of Aotearoa’s bush be affected by humans there is less available for our native plants like the Wood Rose.
Lack of Pollination: The Wood Rose like many plants needs to be pollinated in order to reproduce however it's main pollinating the Short-Tailed Bat is also at risk with declining populations.
Poaching: Another huge reason the Wood Rose is endangered is that it faces the huge issue of poaching as the deformed roots of its host are wanted by collectors. However, in order to collect these rooms, the whole Wood Rose must be dug up, thus killing them. This practice is less common but still occurs enough to be an issue (even though it is highly illegal).
How you can help:
A huge part of protecting Aotearoa wildlife is leaving it alone. Head Here for our blog on our top ten tips on helping our wildlife!
Regarding the Wood Rose head to Forest and Birds, Better for Bats page to help see how you can help the Short-Tailed Bat Here, as the Wood Rose it dependent on it. You can also report any sightings of the Wood Rose to DOC and they will be incredibly appreciative of any sightings, especially if the plant is untagged.