Rapanea salicina

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

Rapanea salicina, commonly known as toro, is a species of shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. Found throughout much of the country, from North Cape to Greymouth,[2] toro grows to around 8 metres in height and 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.[3]

Toro is threatened in areas where the introduced possum occurs, as it is one of their preferred foods.[4]

References

  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  2. "toro". maoridictionary.co.nz. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  3. "Flowering seed plants: North and South Islands - Toro". The University of Auckland. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  4. "The Effects of Mammals on New Zealand Forest". HarmonyForest.org. Retrieved 3 July 2012.


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