Pterophylla sylvicola
Common name
Towai, tawhero
Synonyms
Weinmannia sylvicola Sol. ex A.Cunn.; Weinmannia silvicola Sol. ex A.Cunn. orth. var.; Weinmannia silvicola Sol. ex A.Cunn. var. silvicola, Weinmannia silvicola var. betulina (A.Cunn.) Hook.f.
Family
Cunoniaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
WEISIL
Chromosome number
2n = 30
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Small tree with a blotched trunk bearing leaves consisting of three bluntly-toothed leaflets (lowest pair much smaller) and spikes of small white bristly flowers inhabiting northern North Island. Leaf stem grooved on top, slightly hairy (lens needed). Juveniles with up to nine pairs of leaflets, reddish underneath.
Distribution
Occurs from Te Paki as far as the Waitakere Ranges and Kaimai Range.
Features
Tree up to 15 metres tall or larger with a trunk up to 1 m. diametre; young branchlets, petioles, peduncles and pedicels ± densely pilose-pubescent. Leaves of seedlings simple to 5-jugate, some pairs trifoliolate, membraneous; leaflets up to 3 × 1 cm., elliptic to elliptic-obovate in outline, incised-serrate. Leaves of juveniles and of reversion shoots up to 10-jugate, membraneous; leaflets ovate-elliptic to elliptic or elliptic-oblong, acute to subacute; terminal lflt up to 8 × 3 cm., on petiolule c. 1 cm. long; lateral subsessile, diminishing downward from 6 × 3 cm. to 2.5 × 2 cm. Leaves of adults of two main forms (intermediate forms not infrequent): (a) leaflets mostly obtuse, 3-5-foliolate, rarely simple, coriaceous., bluntly crenate-serrate to serrate, obovate-oblong to broad-elliptic or elliptic; terminal leaflet 4-6 × 2-3 cm., on petiolule c. 1 cm. long; lateral 4-3 × 2 cm.;- (b) leaves 3-5-foliolate, rarely simple, coriaceous, leaflets mostly acute to subacute, serrate to crenate-serrate, elliptic; terminal leaflet 4-7 × 2-3 cm., lateral 7-4 × 3-2 cm. Racemes 8-12 cm. long, many-flowered, pedicels 2-3 mm. long, numerous axis; sepals c. 1 mm. long, narrow-ovate to subulate-obtuse, persistent; petals c. 1·5 cm. long, ovate to oblong, white to pale rose; stamens exserted; styles 2.5-4 mm. long, persistent. Capsules 4-5 cm. long, glab. or nearly so; seeds with tuft of hairs at apex and base.
Similar taxa
The juvenile foliage is similar to that of Ackama rosifolia. It can be distinguished by the lack of domatia on the underside of the leaves. Towai also has narrow, linear stipules that fall off early.
Flower colours
White
Taxonomic notes
Pterophylla sylvicola var. betulina is not regarded as distinct from P. sylvicola by the NZPCN as the characters attributed to it occur sporadically throughout the range of P. sylvicola s.s. However, it is true that in some more southerly populations the form known as var. betulina can be dominant.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared by P. J. de Lange 17 November 2011: Description adapted from Allan (1961)
References and further reading
Allan, H.H. 1961: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Goverment Printer, Wellington.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Pterophylla sylvicola Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/pterophylla-sylvicola/ (Date website was queried)