It’s in the Proteaceae family, which, in New Zealand, has only one other native, Toronia toru. Knightia excelsa is commonly known as rewarewa or New Zealand honeysuckle. At Dunedin Botanic Garden, you can see rewarewa in the native collection next to the scree garden.
Rewarewa is worth a closer look.
Among the rugged leathery toothed leaves you will find some luxurious flowers. A dark crimson velvet covers the impressive clusters of 50-80 tubular flower buds and new growth tips. Each elongated satiny bud opens with four tepals splitting down lengthwise and coiling up, leaving all the red stigmas, now brushed with yellow pollen, extending out from the mass of coils.
The flowers provide nectar to many New Zealand native fauna, including bats, tui, korimako (bellbirds), hihi (stitchbirds), kaka, silvereyes, geckos, as well as introduced bees. Flowers are eaten by kereru, kokako, kakariki and, sadly, also possums.
Rewarewa is an excellent addition to any garden size because of its cylindric, tall shape which has been described as resembling an upright oak. The upright growth pattern of the branches means it won’t shade out much of your garden and does not require pruning.
The growth characteristics and unique nectar-rich flowers make rewarewa a marvellous garden feature that should be considered more often.
- Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Yelah McDougall.
