{{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.<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), 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)<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 for the genus ''Knightia''.<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}}</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 are alternate, leathery, narrow oblong, {{cvt|10–15|cm}} long and {{cvt|2.5–3.5|cm}} wide, and without stipules. The flowers are {{cvt|2–3.5|cm}} long, bright red, and borne in racemes {{cvt|10|cm}} long. Produces dry woody follicles.
==Taxonomy==
The species was first formally described in 1809 by Joseph Knight in the book ''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 in the paper ''On the Proteaceae of Jussieu'', who placed the species in the genus ''Knightia'', 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 |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>
''Knightia excelsa'' is one of only two extant members of Proteaceae found in New Zealand, alongside ''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 (word origin) of rewarewa's genus, ''Knightia'', is named in honour of British horticulturalist Thomas Andrew Knight. The specific epithet (second part of the scientific name), ''excelsa'', means 'elevated' or 'tall'.<ref name="MeaningTrees"/> The Māori language name rewarewa derives from the Proto Nuclear Polynesian term *Lewa, primarily used to describe ''Cerbera odollam'' and other members of the ''Cerbera'' genus in 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 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. The wood was used for posts in rivers and to create palisade walls, and it has uses in traditional waka 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 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 | 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