Species
Weinmannia racemosa
Etymology
Weinmannia: Named after Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (13 March 1683 - 1741) who was a Germany apothecary and botanist and is noted for his creation of the florilegium Phytanthoza iconographia between 1737 and 1745
racemosa: raceme bearing
Common Name(s)
kamahi
Threat Status
Non Threatened
Status 2004
Non Threatened
Authority
Weinmannia racemosa L.f.
Family
Cunoniaceae
Brief Description
Tree to small shrub, young stems bearing deciduous stipules, leaves variable but as adults most simple, with deeply toothed margins, flowers white or pink, clustered in spike-like racemes
Flora Category
Vascular - Native
Synonyms
Fact Sheet Under Development
Distribution
Endemic. North, South, Stewart Island. The exact northern limits of Weinmannia racemosa are uncertain but probably lie somewhere along the Manukau Harbour and Hunua Ranges across the Kamai Range. North of here the distinction between Weinmannia racemosa and W. silvicola is often confused. This needs further study.
Habitat
Coastal to subalpine. A widespread and common tree of disturbed habitats in coastal and lowland to montane forest, often becoming locally dominant in higher altitude montane forest in the higher ranges of the North Island and western South Island.
Features
Tree up to 28 m tall often forming a narrowly domed canopy (but this will vary according to local conditions). Trunk up to 1.2 m diameter. Branches numerous, erect to spreading, Foliage heterophyllous. with distinct seedling, juvenile and adult leaves (reversion shoots common). Stipules caducous, 3-6 mm long, lanceolate, finely pubescent, yellow-green to pinkish. Seedling and juvenile leaves membranous to subcoriaceous, 10-60 × 10-30 mm; lamina simple to 3-lobed or 3-foliolate, ovate-elliptic to elliptic or lanceolate, apices subacute to acute, margins serrate to incised-serrate; adult leaves coriaceous, on petioles up to 20 cmm long, lamina 30-100 × 20-40 mm lamina simple, elliptic, ovate-elliptic to broad-ovate, apices obtuse to subacute, margins rather coarsely, bluntly serrate. Inflorescences in racemose; racemes 60-1140 mm long, rachises and pedicels finely, pilose-pubescent; pedicels 2-4 mm long, clustered, ascending to spreading. Sepals 1.0-1.5 mm. long, ovate, persistent; petals 4(-5), 2-3 mm long, ovate-oblong, white, cream or pale pink; stamens 8-10, exserted, filaments up 10 mm long, white or pinkish white, anthers 0.2-0.3 mm diameter, cream; nectaries 8, red; ovary, narrowly ovoid 0.8 mm diameter, covered in appressed hairs, carpels 2, free almost to base. Styles 3-4 mm long, pale pink, persistent; stigma 0.2-0.4 mm, pink or pale pink, punctate. Fruit a pubescent, broadly cylindrical capsule 4.0-5.8 x 2.7-3.1 mm, initially greyish drying honey-brown or dark brown. Se,eds numerous, 1.0-1.5 mm long, narrowly elliptic to elliptic-oblong, orange-brown, apices bearing dense hair tufts, otherwise glabrous.
Similar Taxa
Fact Sheet Under Development
Flowering
July - January
Main Flower Colour
White
Fruiting
October - May
Propagation Technique
Easily grown from fresh seed. Can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings. This is an attractive tree tolerant of a wide range of conditions and soil types though it does best in high light, and in free-draining soil. The flowers are very attractive to a range of insects and birds
Threats
Not Threatened
Chromosome No.
2n = 30
Endemic Taxon
Yes
Endemic Genus
No
Endemic Family
No
This page last updated on 3 Feb 2013