Toronia

{{Speciesbox |image = Toronia toru 2.JPG |image_caption = ''Toronia toru'' |display_parents = 3 |genus = Toronia |parent_authority = L.A.S.Johnson & B.G.Briggs |species = toru |authority = (A. Cunn.) L.A.S.Johnson & B.G.Briggs }} [[File:Illustrations of the New Zealand flora P170 (BHL12443756).jpg|thumb|Illustration by Matilda Smith.]] '''''Toronia''''' is a genus of tree in the family Proteaceae that contains a single species, '''''Toronia toru''''', which is endemic to New Zealand. The genus is closely related to the large genus ''Persoonia'', and in fact this species was long regarded as one until placed in its own new genus by Lawrie Johnson and Barbara G. Briggs in their 1975 monograph "On the Proteaceae: the evolution and classification of a southern family".<ref name="Lawrence 1975">{{cite journal|author = L. A. S. Johnson and Briggs, B. G. | year = 1975 | title = On the Proteaceae: the evolution and classification of a southern family | journal = Journal of the Linnean Society of London. Botany | volume = 70 | pages = 83–182 | doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1975.tb01644.x|issue = 2}}</ref>

However, phylogenetic studies indicate that ''Toronia'' is nested in the larger genus ''Persoonia'', where it was once included.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Holmes |first=Gareth D. |last2=Weston |first2=Peter H. |last3=Murphy |first3=Daniel J. |last4=Connelly |first4=Carolyn |last5=Cantrill |first5=David J. |date=2018-05-07 |title=The genealogy of geebungs: phylogenetic analysis of Persoonia (Proteaceae) and related genera in subfamily Persoonioideae |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324986968_The_genealogy_of_geebungs_phylogenetic_analysis_of_Persoonia_Proteaceae_and_related_genera_in_subfamily_Persoonioideae |journal=Australian Systematic Botany |language=en |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=166–189 |doi=10.1071/SB16052 |issn=1030-1887 |via=ResearchGate}}</ref>

''Toronia toru'' is an evergreen tree found in the northern half of the North Island and is one of only two members of the protea family occurring in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfgphoto.com/img2590.htm|title=Country, Farm & Garden - Agricultural & Horticultural Stock Photo Specialists|access-date=2011-07-12}}</ref>

''Toronia toru'' grows to 7 – 11 metres and has long slender green leaves, small yellow flowers, and red to dark purple-blue fleshy fruits.

==References== {{Reflist|32em}}

==External links== *{{commons category-inline}} {{Proteaceae genera}} {{Taxonbar|from1=Q7826244|from2=Q18201429}}

Category:Persoonioideae Category:Trees of New Zealand Category:Flora of the North Island Category:Plants described in 1975 Category:Monotypic Proteaceae genera Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand Category:Taxa named by Barbara G. Briggs Category:Taxa named by Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson