08/06/2026
A native flower that helps us let go of the past, embrace new beginnings and opportunities for growth 🌿
Kowhai is a woody legume tree native to New Zealand. Naturally found beside streams and on the edges of forest, in lowland or mountain open areas. They are best known for their brilliant yellow flowers that appear in Spring. Traditionally the flowering of the tree was used as a signal by Māori to plant potatoes.
Kowhai are semi-deciduous and lose most of their leaves immediately after flowering in Spring, but quickly produce new leaves. Tui are very attracted to Kowhai and will fly long distances to get a sip of its nectar, the flowers are also popular with Kereru, Bellbird and Kaka.
Kowhai is associated with the astrological sign of Sagittarius and it is a constitutional essence for those born between 21st - 30th November. It’s also a plant ally for those who have planets in the sign of Sagittarius between 00°-9°59’.
Kowhai is the Growth Essence. It is associated with the archetype of the Explorer and it's a great essence for promoting a sense of adventure. Kowhai supports us to believe in ourselves, move beyond limitations, move outside our comfort zone and expand our horizons. A great essence for alleviating fear or phobias around travelling.
Kowhai helps us embrace change and it's a great essence to help us adjust to major life changes such as moving house, ending a relationship, going to a new job, school or country. A helpful essence for all life transitions including menopause and mid-life crisis. I will often give this essence to children when a new baby has been born in to the family, particularly if they were the only child.
I recently helped a dog who had become very unwell and had not responded to variety of treatments. On my way to see the dog the plant Kowhai stepped forward and told me that the root cause of the illness was pain around change that had occurred in the dog's life.
After spending some time with the dog and having a conversation with her owners (and with the help of Kowhai) I came to conclusion that the dog was missing the youngest son of the family who had moved out of home a few months earlier. All attempts to heal her physical issues were not working because her emotional pain had not been addressed.
I made the dog a flower essence blend to address the pain around this change, which included Kowhai. The dog started responding to treatments and she made a full recovery. While flower essences don't heal physical conditions directly, they will help address the emotional, mental or spiritual conditions which can be the root cause of disease.
🌸 No. 25 Kowhai, The Growth Essence, First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®.
📷 Kowhai (Sophora microphylla), Omata, September 2018.
📖 Information sourced from The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa by Franchelle Ofsoskyé-Wyber.
