Paesia scaberula < Species index > Passiflora tetrandra
This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, # 8, September 2022
September in the hills with Michele Dickson, Chris Horne
Parsonsia heterophylla, Kaihua, Akakiore, Akakaikiore, Kaiwhiria, Kaikū, New Zealand jasmine
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe
Origin of the botanical names
Parsonsia is named after the Scottish doctor and natural historian, James Parsons (1705-1770); ‘heterophylla’ is derived from the Greek words ‘heteros’ and ‘phyllon’ meaning with differing leaves. The genus is a member of the Apocynaceae family, which in Aotearoa / New Zealand is represented by both ornamental and weedy plants e.g. moth plant, milkweed and periwinkle. Many species in the family are poisonous.
Distribution and habitat
New Zealand jasmine is endemic to Aotearoa. It is found in wet lowland to low montane forests from Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Island to Rakiura / Stewart Island.
Growth habit
New Zealand jasmine is a vine / soft-wooded climber which uses other plants for support by twining and winding itself up to the light. Thinner vines can twine about themselves forming ‘ropes’, while thick, older stems will dangle under their own weight. Vines can grow up to 10 m tall or more, with main stems up to 10 cm in diameter. The bark on older stems is smooth, but clad in soft hairs and reddish brown on branchlets. Leaves are opposite, on petioles / stalks up to 1-2 cm long. The juvenile and adult foliage differ widely in their colours and form, and both have a diverse range of shapes. Adult leaves are thick, dark green, slightly shiny above, paler below, 3-10 cm x 1-4 cm, and more likely to be oval. Juvenile leaves are thinner, paler, more likely to be long, narrow and often lobed.
Reproduction
Branched inflorescences are up to 10 cm long. Flowers are white, waxy and very fragrant, 6-10 mm long, with recurved lobes. The flowers develop into four-valved, pod-like, smooth capsules, 7-15 cm long, which when ripe split open to release wind-borne seeds, about 5 cm long, tufted by a ring of silken hairs which act as parachutes. Flowering is from September to March and fruiting is from December to April. Empty capsules may persist for several months longer. The scented, waxy flowers attract night-flying moths which pollinate them.
Uses
Parsonsia flowers were occasionally used by Māori for hunting - they fastened bunches to the perches of bird-traps as a lure. The vines were used to establish boundaries and fences, and for house frameworks.
Where can you find kaihua?
Look for it in Ōtari-Wilton's Bush, most mature Wellington bush reserves, regional parks and in the Remutaka, Aorangi, Akatarawa and Tararua ranges.
In The Hills 2022-08 < Index chronological > In The Hills 2022-10