About Knightia excelsa R.Br.
Knightia excelsa, commonly called rewarewa, grows up to 30 metres (100 feet) tall and forms a slender crown. It bears alternate, leathery, narrow oblong leaves that are 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long and 2.5–3.5 cm (0.98–1.38 in) wide, with no stipules. Its bright red flowers measure 2–3.5 cm (0.79–1.38 in) long, and grow in 10 cm (3.9 in) long racemes. The species produces dry, woody follicles. In its ecosystem, rewarewa flower nectar is a major food source for many native New Zealand birds. For Māori culture, rewarewa is a traditional resource. Its wood was used for river posts and palisade walls, and it also played a role in traditional waka crafting: a slow-burning rewarewa trunk could be placed inside a larger tree to make hollowing out the tree’s centre easier. Rewarewa nectar is also a traditional Māori food source. Early European settlers had a negative view of rewarewa trees, nicknaming the timber “bucket of water wood” because it has a high moisture content and does not work well as a firestarter. Today, rewarewa is valued for its timber, which has an attractive figured grain well-suited for interior work, though it is not durable when used in exposed outdoor locations. Rewarewa honey is one of the most popular native honey varieties produced in New Zealand.
