Rapanea salicina

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Rapanea salicina
Myrsine salicina 11.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Ericales
Family:
Primulaceae
Genus:
Rapanea
Species:
R. salicina
Binomial name
Rapanea salicina
() Mez
Synonyms[1]
  • Myrsine salicina Heward
  • Suttonia salicina (Heward) Hook. f.

Rapanea salicina (the accepted/preferred name in New Zealand is Myrsine salicina),[2] commonly known as toro,[3] is a species of shrub or small tree native to New Zealand.

Description[]

Toro grows to 10 metres in height, with a trunk to 60 cm in diameter.[4] It has long oblong shaped leaves that are thick, glossy and leathery. Clusters of small (3 – 5 mm across) cream to pale pink coloured flowers are produced along the branches in spring, followed by single seeded, reddy-orange fruits.[5]

Distribution[]

This species is found on both the North and South Islands from the North Cape to southern Westland.[4] Its preferred habitat is lowland to montane forest.[4]

Threats[]

Toro is threatened in areas where the introduced possum occurs, as it is one of their preferred foods.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "Rapanea salicina (Heward) Mez". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  2. ^ "Rapanea salicina (Heward ex Hook.f.) Mez". www.nzor.org.nz. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  3. ^ "toro". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume two. Wellington: Te Papa Press. p. 618. ISBN 9780909010089.
  5. ^ de Lange, P. J. (10 February 2011). "Toronia toru | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  6. ^ "Some Effects of the Feeding Habits of the Possum Trichosurus Vulpecula | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 2019-05-17.


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