# Knightia excelsa

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{{Short description|Species of tree endemic to New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Knightia excelsa 11.JPG
|image_caption = ''K. excelsa'' in Upper Hutt
|genus = Knightia (plant)
|species = excelsa
|authority = (Knight) [R. Br.](/source/Robert_Brown_(Scottish_botanist_from_Montrose))<ref name = "POWO, 2023" />
|synonyms = *''Rymandra excelsa'' Knight 
|synonyms_ref = <ref name = "POWO, 2023">{{cite POWO |id=704692-1 |title=''Knightia excelsa'' (Knight) R.Br. |accessdate=17 July 2023}}</ref>
|range_map = 
|range_map_caption = 
}}

'''''Knightia excelsa''''', commonly known as '''rewarewa''' (from [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language)), is an [evergreen](/source/evergreen) tree [endemic](/source/endemic_(ecology)) to the low elevation and valley forests of New Zealand. It is found in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) and at the tip of the [South Island](/source/South_Island) in the [Marlborough Sounds](/source/Marlborough_Sounds) (41° S)<ref>{{cite journal|
last = Meylan|first = BA|author2=BG Butterfield |title = Scanning Electron Micrographs of New Zealand Woods 2. ''Knightia excelsa'' R.Br|journal = New Zealand Journal of Botany |volume = XI|pages = 201–12|year = 1973| doi = 10.1080/0028825x.1973.10430273 }}</ref> and the [type species](/source/type_species) for the genus ''[Knightia](/source/Knightia_(plant))''.<ref name="ing">{{cite web
 | url = http://botany.si.edu/ing/INGsearch.cfm?searchword=Knightia | title = ''Knightia''  | access-date = 28 June 2008 | date = 9 February 1996 | work = Index Nominum Genericorum | publisher = [International Association for Plant Taxonomy](/source/International_Association_for_Plant_Taxonomy)}}</ref>

==Description==

Rewarewa grows to {{convert|30|m|abbr=off|sigfig=1}} tall, with a slender crown.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lehnebach |first1=Carlos A. |url=https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115065494 |title=Native Plants of Aotearoa |last2=Meudt |first2=Heidi |date=2022-10-01 |publisher=Te Papa Press |isbn=978-1-9911509-3-6 |series=Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series |pages=83 |language=English}}</ref> The [leaves](/source/leaf) are alternate, leathery, narrow oblong,  {{cvt|10–15|cm}} long and {{cvt|2.5–3.5|cm}} wide, and without stipules. The [flower](/source/flower)s are {{cvt|2–3.5|cm}} long, bright red, and borne in [raceme](/source/raceme)s {{cvt|10|cm}} long. Produces dry woody follicles.

==Taxonomy==

The species was first formally described in 1809 by [Joseph Knight](/source/Joseph_Knight_(horticulturist)) in the book ''[On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae](/source/On_the_cultivation_of_the_plants_belonging_to_the_natural_order_of_Proteeae)'', using the name ''Rymandra excelsa''.<ref>{{cite Q|Q6050728|pp=124}}</ref> This was revised the following year by [Robert Brown](/source/Robert_Brown_(botanist%2C_born_1773)) in the paper ''[On the Proteaceae of Jussieu](/source/On_the_Proteaceae_of_Jussieu)'', who placed the species in the genus ''[Knightia](/source/Knightia_(plant))'', named after Joseph Knight.<ref>{{cite Q|Q17016478}}</ref> This remains the accepted scientific name used today.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A704692-1|title=''Knightia excelsa'' (Knight) R.Br. |website=[Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online) |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>

''Knightia excelsa'' is one of only two extant members of [Proteaceae](/source/Proteaceae) found in New Zealand, alongside ''[Toronia toru](/source/Toronia_toru)''. Many other species existed in the past, but became extinct during glaciation periods.<ref name="MeaningTrees">{{cite q|Q118646408|pp=238-240}}</ref> 

==Etymology==

The [etymology](/source/etymology) (word origin) of rewarewa's genus, ''Knightia'', is named in honour of British horticulturalist [Thomas Andrew Knight](/source/Thomas_Andrew_Knight). The [specific epithet](/source/specific_epithet) (second part of the scientific name), ''excelsa'', means 'elevated' or 'tall'.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> The [Māori language](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) name rewarewa derives from the Proto Nuclear Polynesian term *Lewa, primarily used to describe ''[Cerbera odollam](/source/Cerbera_odollam)'' and other members of the ''Cerbera'' genus in [Polynesian languages](/source/Polynesian_languages).<ref name="MaraReo">{{cite web|url=https://www.temarareo.org/PPN-Lewa.html |title=*Lewa |website=Te Mära Reo |publisher=Benton Family Trust |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> It was called '''New Zealand honeysuckle''' by early European settlers,<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> but the name has fallen into disuse in preference for the [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) name.

==Ecology==

Rewarewa flower nectar is a major food source for many New Zealand native birds.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> 

==Uses==
===Māori cultural uses===

Rewarewa is a traditional resource in [Māori culture](/source/M%C4%81ori_culture). The wood was used for posts in rivers and to create palisade walls, and it has uses in traditional [waka](/source/waka_(canoe)) crafting, where a slow burning trunk of the wood can be placed inside a tree to more easily hollow out the centre. The nectar is also a traditional Māori food source.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/>

===Early European uses===

Rewarewa trees had a bad reputation among early European settlers, who called the timber "bucket of water wood", due to its high moisture content and unsuitability as a firestarter.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> 

===Modern uses===

The rewarewa is known for its timber, which is handsomely figured for interior work although not durable in exposed situations.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs|author=Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James)|date=2011|publisher=Raupo|isbn=9780143565611|edition=Rev. and updated |location=Auckland, N.Z.|oclc=753700257}}</ref> Rewarewa honey is one of the most popular native New Zealand honey varieties.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> 

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" widths="140" heights="140">
File:Knightia excelsa 458134915.jpg|[Inflorescence](/source/Inflorescence) of flowers
File:Knightia excelsa 464430535.jpg|Adult foliage
File:Knightia excelsa 471709115.jpg|Tree in flower
File:Illustrations of the New Zealand flora P171 (BHL12443760).jpg|Illustration by Matilda Smith
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikisource-inline|Transactions_of_the_Linnean_Society_of_London/Volume_10/On the Proteaceae of Jussieu|On the Proteaceae of Jussieu}}
*{{cite book | author = The Royal Society of New Zealand | author-link = Royal Society of New Zealand | title = Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n7Y4AAAAIAAJ | access-date = 28 June 2008 | edition = Volume 12 | year = 1989 | publisher = The Royal Society of New Zealand | location = [Wellington](/source/Wellington) | chapter = Family Proteaceae | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n7Y4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA88 }}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q311623}}

Category:Roupaleae
Category:Trees of New Zealand
Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand
Category:Flora of the North Island
Category:Trees of mild maritime climate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Knightia excelsa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightia_excelsa) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightia_excelsa?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.