Pukeiti

Family: Ericaceae (Heath)

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Tree - evergreen

Comments: Habit: A large shrub or single trunked tree which grows to between 5 and 16 m tall.
Foliage: Striking leaves have a mid green upper surface and reach up to 45 cm long on young plants. The lower surface has silvery-white indumentum. Very attractive new growth which appears as silvery-white or purple-bronze spears above the old darker green leaves.
Flowers: Inflorescence is creamy-white to pale yellow, possibly flushed with pink, with a dark purple blotch and spots. Flowers August - October in the southern hemisphere.
Found in Bhutan and named by W. Griffith in 1847. Introduced to the west by JD Hooker in 1850.
Cultivation: Tender in cold climates. Woodland conditions and shelter from cold winds are essential.
Note: Lester's Form denotes the source of this particular plant.