| Knightia excelsa Rewarewa. |
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Knightia excelsa Rewarewa.
Tree reaching 30 m
Leaves 10-15 cm, coarsely toothed. Flowers velvety red and yellow. fruit like a canoe 4-6cm
Common tree of ridges and dry spots
North cape to Marlborough.
Wind dispersed winged seed similar in shape and size to Kauri. As the seed pods ripen it pays to keep a regular observation on developing seedpods. As the pods ripen place an onion bag over them, so when the pod breaks the seed does not blow away, or pick seeds when pods suggest maturity and let them open in a brown paper bag placed in a warm dry spot. Seed pods make useful toy canoes.
A tall attractive slender tree. The seeds germinate freely . The seedlings should not be overwatered as this a plant of arid places.The flowers are particularly interesting. The purple body of the flower in contrast to the almost irredescent green of the stigmas.
If you wish to learn more about native plants I suggest one of these natural history books from fishpond
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