Alectryon excelsus

Tītoki
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Alectryon
Species: A. excelsus
Binomial name
Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as tītoki, is a shiny-leaved tree native to New Zealand, where it occurs in coastal and lowland forests. It is found throughout most of the North Island and from Banks Peninsula to central Westland in the South Island.

In common with most New Zealand native trees, the Māori name is now preferred for English use. It was formerly known as New Zealand oak.

Description

Alectryon excelsus is a canopy tree growing to 9 m (30 ft) in height. It has a twisting trunk with smooth dark bark, spreading branches and pinnate leaves.[1]

Alectryon excelsus produces small purple flowers in spring and the seeds take up to a year to mature. The colourful seed is initially contained in a hairy woody capsule which splits revealing bright red and black unpalatable fruit (the black portion being the seed). The fruit is a favourite food of the New Zealand wood pigeon.

Tītoki foliage

References

  1. ↑ Parsons, Mick. "Alectryon excelsus (Titoki)" (PDF). Wellington City Council. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  • Metcalf, Laurie, 2002. A Photographic Guide to Trees of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland.
  • Salmon, J.T., 1986. The Native Trees of New Zealand. Wellington: Heinemann Reed.
  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: Alectryon excelsus excelsus. Accessed 4 October 2010
  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: Alectryon excelsus grandis. Accessed 4 October 2010
  • "Alectryon excelsus Gaertn". Atlas of Living Australia.

Media related to Tītoki at Wikimedia Commons


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