Parsonsia heterophylla, commonly called New Zealand Jasmine or Kaihua, is a climbing plant endemic to New Zealand.[1]
The name heterophylla comes from the differing leaf shapes that can be seen in seedlings and juvenile plants of the species.[2] Heterophylla means varied leaves, from the Greek words heteros and phullon.[3] Synonyms for this species include Parsonsia variabilis Lindl., Parsonsia albiflora Raoul and Parsonsia macrocarpa Colenso.[3] It can also be described as "The Varied-leaved Parsonsia".[4] There are 40 species of Parsonsia found in Asia, Australasia and the Pacific, P. heterophylla is one of two endemic Parsonsia species found in New Zealand.[5] It is more robust and has bigger flowers than its close relative, Parsonsia capsularis, which is also known as Akakiore or Small Māori Jasmine.[6]
The flowers of P. heterophylla are "white, scented, and tubular with anthers hidden within the tube."[5] This species has also been observed rarely to have yellow flowers.[7] They appear in many-flowered, fairly compact clusters on the plant.[7] The flowers are small, each usually up to 8mm in size.[6] The flowers are often described for their peculiar scent.[1] Often seen draped over the tops of tall trees, the flowers are more recognisable by their scent than their appearance.[5]
The fruit of P. heterophylla is a long, narrow pod that opens to release tufted seeds.[5] These seeds pods are around 15 cm long.[6] Each pod holds numerous seeds, and each one is tipped with a tuft of silky hairs.[2] The two-valved pod opens from the tip downwards, bending outwards and raising seeds up so that their tufts can be caught by the wind.[8] The fruit pods start green, turning to brown and then after the seeds have been dispersed, the dry, empty pods hang a long time on the plant.[2]
The leaves of P. heterophylla are variable in size and shape, both in all stages of its life.[9] The leaves of seedlings and juvenile plants are largely diverse, and a range of small and round, long and narrow and irregularly shaped leaves can all be found mixed on the same plant.[7] In adults, the leaves are described as "opposite, rather shiny and rather dark green from above, much paler underneath, more or less smooth-edge but often somewhat wavy edged, more than 1 cm wide, often 2, 3, or 4 cm wide and up to 10cm long".[7] While the leaves of adult plants are usually shorter and broader than in juveniles, they are still variable in shape.[9] The leaf types can narrowly be defined as small round, long narrow and moderately broad and oblong.[10]
The twining stems of P. heterophylla are often tightly wrapped around host stems and are described as softly woody and flexible.[7] In older plants, the stem is woody towards the base.[9] Each stem is as thick as a quill and shining.[4] This branching climber can reach up to 10 metres tall by climbing up any plant within reach.[9]
P. heterophylla is an indigenous or endemic species of New Zealand, meaning that it is not found anywhere else in the world.[11]
Its presence has been recorded in the North Island, South Island, Three Kings Islands and Stewart Island.[9] It is commonly found across the country in lowland or low montane forest.[5] Its preferred habitat is forest margins and clearings in coastal scrub patches.[6] It has been observed to grow side by side with its close relative Parsonsia capsularis in the Banks Peninsula, where hybrids are sometimes encountered.[7]
There is little information available on the timeline and life cycle of this species. This plant flowers from September to March, followed by seed pods from February.[1] Seeds are dispersed then by the wind.[8]
If one wants to plant P. heterophylla in their garden, the optimal time to collect seeds is between February to April.[12]
P. heterophylla twine their young stems around other plants in order and grow and climb towards the sunlight.[6]
P. heterophylla is a host plant to a number of invertebrate species, including beetles, wasps, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers and sucking bugs.[13] The larvae of the moth Stigmella kaimanua feed on the leaves of P. heterophylla.[14] It also attracts the rare New Zealand Ribbonwood Aphid or Paradoxaphis plagianthi.[15] The sweet-scented flowers of P. heterophylla are attractive to night-flying moths.[9]
The nectar of P. heterophylla is eaten by the New Zealand Bellbird or Korimako.[16]
P. heterophylla's current conservation status is not threatened, according to the Department of Conservation.[3]
The flowers of P. heterophylla were historically often bound by Māori to the perches of bird-traps as a lure.[17]
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