Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Clianthus puniceus 'alba'
Common name: White kaka beak / White parrot's beak
Origin: New Zealand

This is a rare white variety of the common red parrot beak. The flowers lookalike and also resemble to the beak of the New Zealand parrot, the kaka. It’s a beautiful brush which can be kept as a container plant in a sunny spot. Protect the plant against frost. In the wild, this variety is probably extinct. Luckily, cultivated plants keep this species alive. It’s stunningly beautiful to combine this white variety, together with the common red parrot beak. Possibly even together in a large container or tub. 

Sowing description: Let the seeds soak for one minute in boiling water; afterwards let them cool off in cold water. Wrap seeds in a moisty sheet of paper towel and let them rest for 24 hours. Keep them constantly moist. After a day, the seeds should have been doubled in size. If that’s the case, the seed wall should be broken. Repeat the process for seeds that are not swollen.

Sow swollen seeds in sowing mix. Cover with plastic wrap or glass, keep the soil constantly moist and let them germinate in a warm spot at home. Germination can occur after a couple of weeks or months.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Challenging
Minimum temperature: 0 degrees Celcius

Photo 1: P. Damez via www.phengels.fr
Photo 2: David Silva via Flickr