Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as rewarewa (from Māori), is an evergreen tree endemic to the low elevation and valley forests of New Zealand. It is found in the North Island and at the tip of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds (41° S)^[2] and the type species for the genus Knightia.^[3]

Knightia excelsa
K. excelsa in Upper Hutt
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Proteaceae
Genus:	Knightia
Species:	K. excelsa
Binomial name
Knightia excelsa (Knight) R. Br.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Rymandra excelsa Knight

Rewarewa grows to 30 metres (100 feet) tall, with a slender crown.^[4] 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.

The etymology (word origin) of rewarewa's genus, Knightia, is named in honour of British horticulturalist Thomas Andrew Knight. The specific epithet (second part of the scientifc name), excelsa, means 'elevated' or 'tall'.^[5] 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.^{[citation needed]}

The rewarewa is known for its timber, which is handsomely figured for interior work although not durable in exposed situations.^[6]

Gallery

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  Inflorescence of flowers
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  Adult foliage
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  Tree in flower