Echium pininana Webb & Berthel.

Giant, monocarpic, hispid herb to c. 5 m high. Stem elongating before flowering and forming a trunk of 1–2 m below fls which becomes leafless and woody. Lvs at first in basal rosette, to 80 × 10 cm, ± oblong; base attenuate to short petiole; apex very long-acuminate; midrib prominently raised below. Panicle eventually 2–3 m high, with many densely arranged lateral branches each bearing a number of pedunculate, bracteate cymes. Calyx 4–6 mm long at anthesis, irregular with 4 lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate sepals and 1 larger, ovate, anterior sepal. Corolla 1.2–1.5 cm long, pink in bud, opening to light blue; upper lobes slightly larger. Stamens long-exserted, filiform, usually pink in upper part. Nutlets 2–3 mm long, prominently lobed and tuberculate towards base.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Dec.