Biology:Knightia excelsa

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Short description: Species of tree


Knightia excelsa
Scientific classification edit
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Script error: No such module "Taxobox ranks".: Knightia
Script error: No such module "Taxobox ranks".: <div style="display:inline" class="script error: no such module "taxobox ranks".">K. excelsa
Binomial name
Knightia excelsa
R. Br. (1810)
Synonyms

Rymandra excelsa Salisb.
Sources: UniProt,[1] IPNI[2]

Knightia excelsa, commonly called rewarewa (from Māori), is an evergreen tree endemic to the low elevation and valley forests of New Zealand's North Island and Marlborough Sounds (41° S)[3] and the type species for the genus Knightia.[4]

Rewarewa grows to 30 m tall, with a slender crown. The leaves are alternate, leathery, narrow oblong, 10 – 15 cm long and 2.5 - 3.5 cm wide, and without stipules. The flowers are 2 - 3.5 cm long, bright red, and borne in racemes 10 cm long. Produces dry woody follicles.

It was called New Zealand honeysuckle by early European settlers but the name has fallen into disuse in preference for the Māori name. Rewarewa flowers are a great source for honey production.

The rewarewa is noted for its timber, which is handsomely figured for interior work although not durable in exposed situations.[5]

Rewarewa in flower

References

  1. UniProt. "Species Knightia excelsa". https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/35944. 
  2. "Plant name details". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://www.ipni.org/n/704692-1. 
  3. Meylan, BA; BG Butterfield (1973). "Scanning Electron Micrographs of New Zealand Woods 2. Knightia excelsa R.Br". New Zealand Journal of Botany XI: 201–12. doi:10.1080/0028825x.1973.10430273. 
  4. "Knightia". Index Nominum Genericorum. International Association for Plant Taxonomy. 9 February 1996. http://botany.si.edu/ing/INGsearch.cfm?searchword=Knightia. 
  5. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James) (2011). The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs (Rev. and updated ed.). Auckland, N.Z.: Raupo. ISBN 9780143565611. OCLC 753700257. 

Wikidata ☰ Q311623 entry