Dracophyllum longifolium

Dracophyllum longifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Dracophyllum
Species:	D. longifolium
Binomial name
Dracophyllum longifolium J.R.Forst., G.Forst.

Dracophyllum longifolium, commonly called inaka (from Māori), is an upright shrub or small tree that is endemic to New Zealand.

D. longifolium grows mostly in the South Island but is found throughout New Zealand from sea level up to 1200 metres. Inaka occurs in open forests where it can grow as high as 11 metres and in sub-alpine areas it generally reaches 1 - 1.5 metres.

D. longifolium has thin branches that become marked with rings as old leaves die. The needle-like long leaves are 3 - 5 millimetres wide and up to 25 cm long with a pointed tip and are often softly coloured from green through to orange and brown.

Inaka is a long-lived plant and can survive for up to 220 years.^[1]

References

1. "Dracophyllum longifolium (Inaka)". Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network. Retrieved 8 September 2012.