Kiekie (plant)

Freycinetia banksii on a Kohekohe Tree

Freycinetia banksii is a flowering plant in the family of screw pine plants ( Pandanaceae ). It is native to New Zealand, where it is called " Kiekie ".

Description

Freycinetia banksii grows as a densely branched, woody climbing plant, so it is a liana. The shoot axes have diameters of 40 millimeters and lengths of about 30 meters and form abundant aerial roots. The shoot axis climbs on trees or forms a dense undergrowth on the forest floor. Your Stems and leaves are a characteristic pattern in many New Zealand forests. The leaves are long and narrow, about 60 to 90 inches long and 2 to 2.5 inches wide.

Occurrence

Freycinetia banksii is found in forests throughout the North Island. In the South Island Freycinetia banksii is more prevalent in areas with higher rainfall and reaches its southern distribution limit near the Clarence River in the east and in Fiordland in the west.

Taxonomy

A synonym for Freycinetia banksii A.Cunn. Freycinetia baueriana subsp. banksii ( A.Cunn. ) B.C.Stone.

1973 Benjamin C. Stone argued that Freycinetia banksii was to be regarded as a subspecies of the common on Norfolk Iceland Freycinetia baueriana. De Lange et al. disagreed Stones arguments and kept Freycinetia banksii as a separate species in because they have significant differences. Below are the general appearance, the orientation of the leaves ( phyllotaxis ), leaf width, the arrangement of the veins and the color of the bracts ( salmon to orange at Freycinetia baueriana, purple at Freycinetia banksii ).

Use

The sweet fruit ( Māori: pātangatanga or ureure ) and the succulent bracts of inflorescences ( Māori: tāwhara ) were a delicacy of Māori. The leaves found widespread use for braiding and weaving, although the broader leaves of New Zealand flax were preferred. There were mats and baskets made ​​for storing food. The aerial roots were collected as a binding material and for making fish traps and sandals.

Swell

Freycinetia banksii. In: New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Accessed on October 27, 2011.