Matagouri (Discaria toumatou), also known as matakoura or “wild Irishman,” is a tough, spiky native shrub that grows throughout dry, open landscapes in Aotearoa. It’s easy to spot with its tangle of rigid thorns, small leaves, and wiry branches – a survival strategy for coping with harsh conditions. Matagouri is one of the few native plants that naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil, helping improve the fertility of dry, low-fertility areas.
This prickly shrub provides essential shelter and habitat for native birds, lizards, and invertebrates, especially in areas where plant life is sparse. It also helps stabilise riverbanks and dryland ecosystems by holding soil in place. Unfortunately, matagouri is becoming less common in some areas due to land development, browsing pests, and competition from invasive weeds like broom and gorse.