Knightia excelsa
| Knightia excelsa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 66' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Knightia excelsa (common name: rewarewa)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[2]. Requires protection from cold and drying winds[2].
Plants tolerate very light and short-lived frosts, but they are best with a minimum winter temperature of about 3°c[2]. Another report says that trees are hardy in south Cornwall[3].
A very good bee plant[4].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland to montane forest in North Island and on the northern tip of South Island[4].
Edibility: The flowers are very rich in nectar, this can be extracted and used as food. It contains about 45% sugars[4].
Usage: Wood - handsomely variegated. Highly valued for superior woodwork, inlay etc[3].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.