Knightia excelsa | |
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A young Rewarewa | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Tribe: | Knightieae |
Genus: | Knightia |
Species: | K. excelsa |
Binomial name | |
Knightia excelsa R. Br. (1810) |
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Synonyms | |
Knightia excelsa, Rewarewa in Māori, or New Zealand honeysuckle, 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.
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.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Knightia_excelsa Knightia excelsa] at Wikimedia Commons Works related to On the Proteaceae of Jussieu at Wikisource