Clianthus puniceus
| Clianthus puniceus | |
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| leaves and flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | C. puniceus
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| Binomial name | |
| Clianthus puniceus (G.Don) Sol. ex Lindl. [2]
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Clianthus puniceus, common name kaka beak (Kōwhai Ngutu-kākā in Māori), is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clianthus of the legume family Fabaceae, native to New Zealand's North Island. It is an evergreen shrub, one of two species of Clianthus, both of which have striking clusters of red flowers resembling the beak of the kākā, a New Zealand parrot. The plant is also known as parrot's beak, parrot's bill and lobster claw. There is also a variety with white to creamy coloured flowers.
The Latin specific epithet puniceus refers to the reddish-purple colour of the flowers.[3]
The species is critically endangered in the wild, known only on Moturemu Island in the Kaipara Harbour.[4] It was previously widely grown as a garden plant, but has generally been replaced by the more robust Clianthus maximus.[5]
C. puniceus grows to around 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high, with spreading branches producing leaf stalks up to 15 cm (6 in) long bearing several pairs of small leaflets. They usually flower from spring through to early summer, but can flower twice a year or even year round.[6] Its scandent habit means it can be trained against a wall. It requires shelter from frosts.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7]
Notes
- ^ P. J. de Lange, D. A. Norton, S. P. Courtney, P. B. Heenan, J. W. Barkla, E. K. Cameron, R. Hitchmough & A. J. Townsend (2009). "Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision)". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 47 (1): 61–96. doi:10.1080/00288250909509794.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Entry in New Zealand Plants database, Landcare Research. Retrieved 7 April 2006.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ Heenan, P.B. (2000). "Clianthus (Fabaceae) in New Zealand: a reappraisal of Colenso's taxonomy" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Botany. 38: 361–371. doi:10.1080/0028825x.2000.9512688. ISSN 0028–825X. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
{{cite journal}}: Check|issn=value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ "Clianthus puniceus". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ "Kakabeak", pp. 168-169 in Gerard Hutching's The Natural World of New Zealand, Penguin Books (NZ) Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-670-87782-4
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Clianthus puniceus". Retrieved 17 July 2013.
External links
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