Clianthus puniceus is from the Leguminosea family (pea family).
It is a soft woody shrub with a rather sprawling habit and has pendulous clusters of bright red flowers in Spring.
It is rare and endanged in the wild with only a few wild populations been found, in the North Island.
It was widely cultivated by pre European Maori.
Kaka beak can be relatively short lived.

The care of the Clianthus is:

Cut back after flowering.
Protect from slug and snail damage.
It is susceptible to defoliation by leaf miner. Spray with an insecticide
Feed plant in Spring with a slow release fertiliser

• H 2m x W 1.5m
• Full sun.
• Prefers a free draining site
• Protect from heavy frosts
• Food for birds particularly the tui and the bellbird