Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa is the only species of the genus Knightia within the family silver tree family ( Proteaceae ). It is native to New Zealand, where one uses the trivial name: Māori: " Rewarewa " and English " honeysuckle ". It grows in lowland and wooded valleys of the North Island of New Zealand and the Marlborough Sounds (41 ° S).

Description

Knightia excelsa grows as evergreen tree, reaching heights of growth of up to 30 meters. It forms a slender tree crown. The leaves are alternate. The leathery leaf blade is 2.5 to 3.5 cm wide, oblong with a length of 10 to 15 cm and a width. There are no stipules present. The flowers are 10 cm long racemose inflorescences. The bright red flowers are 2 to 3.5 cm long.

Others

From the early European settlers, this type was also " honeysuckle New Zealand" called, but the name came in favor of the original name of the Māori disuse. The flowers are a good source of nectar for honey production.

Taxonomy

The first publication of Knightia excelsa was made in February 1810 by Robert Brown in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Volume 10, p 193 It is the type species and currently the only species of the genus Knightia.

Illustrations

Illustration of Martha King, 1803? -1897

Illustration from Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, 1811.