Knightia excelsa. Rewarewa.
The common name NZ Honeysuckle tree a name not used much now as the Maori Rewarewa is widely accepted and is a much nicer name.
Native plants of the protea family are rare in New Zealand with only 2 species being represented – Knightia excelsa and Persoonia toru.
At first glance neither plant look like they belong to the Proteaceae however a detailed look at the individual flowers show they are very similar to the individual flowers found in the large flowers inflorescences of popular proteas and leucadendrons.
Knightia excelsa is an exceptionally good tree for urban gardens. It is a slender tree growing upright resembling a lombardy poplar shape or upright oak. This growth habit means the branches grow upright and do not spread out and shade the garden. While it can grow up to 30m in the wild, in the home garden it will take 10 years to get to 6 metres high and about 3 metres across. It is excellent for smaller gardens.
The evergreen leaves are long and narrow in its juvenile stage of growth with adult leaves being shorter and wider. All leaves are very hard and stiff, heavily toothed along the edges and are deep green and coppery green in their young stage. Older leaves tend to lose their deep colour.
The flowers are borne in protea like clusters along the stems and branches not at the growing tips. To see the flowers one has to look into the tree. The clusters of the flowers open as the sepals and petals split and curl back in a colourful curly mass at the base of the flower. The masses of dark red flowers and the long yellow tipped stamen amongst the green leaves are an attractive sight.
The name Rewa refers to its flowers (only one of the meanings of Rewa) but this appears to be extended into Rewarewa referring to the whole tree.
Rewarewa flowers are sweet smelling, and nectar eating birds such as tuis and bellbirds are attracted to them. Further plantings in parks, gardens and reforestation programmes will provide food for our native birds.
It is easily grown from seed and grows well when planted in with other plants. It loves to be in cool and moist situations but it is known to grow and survive in quite dry gardens.
With its upright growth habit there is little need to prune it to shape. It is easily grown and a worthy addition to any garden. Currently it is underrated as a garden tree and should be planted.
It is not milled as a timber tree as the wood is not durable outside. However it is beautifully marked and makes excellent interior decoration, ornaments or sculpture.
Found growing in our native forests throughout the North Island and South Island in the Marlborough area and islands up to an altitude of about 800 metres. It is in cultivation in parks and gardens throughout New Zealand.
Native plants of the protea family are rare in New Zealand with only 2 species being represented – Knightia excelsa and Persoonia toru.
At first glance neither plant look like they belong to the Proteaceae however a detailed look at the individual flowers show they are very similar to the individual flowers found in the large flowers inflorescences of popular proteas and leucadendrons.
Knightia excelsa is an exceptionally good tree for urban gardens. It is a slender tree growing upright resembling a lombardy poplar shape or upright oak. This growth habit means the branches grow upright and do not spread out and shade the garden. While it can grow up to 30m in the wild, in the home garden it will take 10 years to get to 6 metres high and about 3 metres across. It is excellent for smaller gardens.
The evergreen leaves are long and narrow in its juvenile stage of growth with adult leaves being shorter and wider. All leaves are very hard and stiff, heavily toothed along the edges and are deep green and coppery green in their young stage. Older leaves tend to lose their deep colour.
The flowers are borne in protea like clusters along the stems and branches not at the growing tips. To see the flowers one has to look into the tree. The clusters of the flowers open as the sepals and petals split and curl back in a colourful curly mass at the base of the flower. The masses of dark red flowers and the long yellow tipped stamen amongst the green leaves are an attractive sight.
The name Rewa refers to its flowers (only one of the meanings of Rewa) but this appears to be extended into Rewarewa referring to the whole tree.
Rewarewa flowers are sweet smelling, and nectar eating birds such as tuis and bellbirds are attracted to them. Further plantings in parks, gardens and reforestation programmes will provide food for our native birds.
It is easily grown from seed and grows well when planted in with other plants. It loves to be in cool and moist situations but it is known to grow and survive in quite dry gardens.
With its upright growth habit there is little need to prune it to shape. It is easily grown and a worthy addition to any garden. Currently it is underrated as a garden tree and should be planted.
It is not milled as a timber tree as the wood is not durable outside. However it is beautifully marked and makes excellent interior decoration, ornaments or sculpture.
Found growing in our native forests throughout the North Island and South Island in the Marlborough area and islands up to an altitude of about 800 metres. It is in cultivation in parks and gardens throughout New Zealand.