Knightia excelsa

{{Short description|Species of tree endemic to New Zealand}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}

{{speciesbox

|image = Knightia excelsa 11.JPG

|image_caption = K. excelsa in Upper Hutt

|genus = Knightia (plant)

|species = excelsa

|authority = (Knight) R. Br.

|synonyms = *Rymandra excelsa Knight

|synonyms_ref = {{cite POWO |id=704692-1 |title=Knightia excelsa (Knight) R.Br. |accessdate=17 July 2023}}

|range_map =

|range_map_caption =

}}

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as rewarewa (from Māori), is an evergreen tree endemic to the low elevation and valley forests of New Zealand. It is found in the North Island and at the tip of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds (41° S){{cite journal|

last = Meylan|first = BA|author2=BG Butterfield |title = Scanning Electron Micrographs of New Zealand Woods 2. Knightia excelsa R.Br|journal = New Zealand Journal of Botany |volume = XI|pages = 201–12|year = 1973| doi = 10.1080/0028825x.1973.10430273 }} and the type species for the genus Knightia.{{cite web

| url = http://botany.si.edu/ing/INGsearch.cfm?searchword=Knightia

| title = Knightia

| access-date = 28 June 2008

| date = 9 February 1996

| work = Index Nominum Genericorum

| publisher = International Association for Plant Taxonomy

}}

Rewarewa grows to {{convert|30|m|abbr=off|sigfig=1}} tall, with a slender crown.{{Cite book |last=Lehnebach |first=Carlos A. |url=https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115065494 |title=Native Plants of Aotearoa |last2=Meudt |first2=Heidi |date=2022-10-01 |publisher=Te Papa Press |isbn=978-1-9911509-3-6 |series=Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series |pages=83 |language=English}} The leaves are alternate, leathery, narrow oblong, 10 – 15 cm long and 2.5 – 3.5 cm wide, and without stipules. The flowers are 2 – 3.5 cm long, bright red, and borne in racemes 10 cm long. Produces dry woody follicles.

It was called New Zealand honeysuckle by early European settlers but the name has fallen into disuse in preference for the Māori name. Rewarewa flowers are a great source for honey production.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The rewarewa is known for its timber, which is handsomely figured for interior work although not durable in exposed situations.{{Cite book|title=The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs|author=Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James)|date=2011|publisher=Raupo|isbn=9780143565611|edition=Rev. and updated |location=Auckland, N.Z.|oclc=753700257}}