Knightia excelsa explained

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)^[1] and the type species for the genus Knightia.^[2]

Rewarewa grows to 30 m tall, with a slender crown.^[3] 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.^[4]

External links

• Book: The Royal Society of New Zealand . Royal Society of New Zealand . Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 28 June 2008 . Volume 12 . 1989 . The Royal Society of New Zealand . . Family Proteaceae . https://books.google.com/books?id=n7Y4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA88 .

Notes and References

1. Meylan. BA. BG Butterfield . Scanning Electron Micrographs of New Zealand Woods 2. Knightia excelsa R.Br. New Zealand Journal of Botany . XI. 201–12. 1973. 10.1080/0028825x.1973.10430273 .
2. Web site: Knightia . 28 June 2008 . 9 February 1996 . Index Nominum Genericorum . International Association for Plant Taxonomy.
3. Book: Lehnebach, Carlos A. . Native Plants of Aotearoa . Meudt . Heidi . 2022-10-01 . Te Papa Press . 978-1-9911509-3-6 . Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series . 83 . English.
4. Book: The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James). 2011. Raupo. 9780143565611. Rev. and updated . Auckland, N.Z.. 753700257.