Most New Zealand native flowers don’t have too much of a fragrance but a little-known unassuming shrub called Alseuosmia really packs a punch. Also known as Toropapa or ‘bush daphne’ its tiny flowers fill the air with a perfume in spring that rivals Chanel and would not be out of place in a French haute parfumerie. The flowers are pink to creamy green and have a tubular shape. There are several species and they are unique to New Zealand. The leaves are extremely variable in shape, even on the same plant, with the suggestion that some may mimic other plants to avoid being eaten. It is easy to overlook these amazing little plants and flowers.
Lemonwood/Tarata/Pittosporum eugenoides is another New Zealand fragrant which produces clusters of pale yellow flowers with a strong honey scent. Sniff them out next time you see them in spring.
