Rapanea salicina
| Rapanea salicina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Rapanea |
| Species: | R. salicina |
| Binomial name | |
| Rapanea salicina (Heward) Mez | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Rapanea salicina, commonly known as toro, is a species of shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. Found throughout much of the country, from North Cape to Greymouth,[2] toro grows to around 8 metres in height and has long oblong shaped leaves that are thick, glossy and leathery.
Clusters of small (3 – 5 mm across) cream to pale pink coloured flowers are produced along the branches in spring, followed by single seeded, reddy-orange fruits.[3]
Toro is threatened in areas where the introduced possum occurs, as it is one of their preferred foods.[4]
References
- ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- ↑ "toro". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ↑ "Flowering seed plants: North and South Islands - Toro". The University of Auckland. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ "The Effects of Mammals on New Zealand Forest". HarmonyForest.org. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
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