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Parsonsia heterophylla
Also called New Zealand Jasmine
Kaihua is a climbing vine native to New Zealand, known for its fragrant white flowers draped over tall trees. It is grown as an ornamental climber, and the species name refers to its varied leaf shapes.
Parsonsia heterophylla, commonly called New Zealand jasmine or kaihua, is a climbing plant endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Alan Cunningham in 1839.
The name heterophylla comes from the differing leaf shapes that can be seen in seedlings and juvenile plants of the species. Heterophylla means varied leaves, from the Greek words heteros and phullon. Synonyms for this species include Parsonsia albiflora Raoul and Parsonsia macrocarpa Colenso. It can also be described as "the varied-leaved Parsonsia". 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. It is more robust and has bigger flowers than its close relative, Parsonsia capsularis, which is also known as akakiore or small Māori jasmine.
P. heterophylla is an indigenous or endemic species of New Zealand, meaning that it is not found anywhere else in the world.
Spiral Vined Silkpod · Mountain Silkpod · New Zealand Jasmine · Parsonsia curvisepala · Parsonsia diaphanophleba · Parsonsia dorrigoensis · Gargaloo · Furry Silkpod · Parsonsia howeana · Thin Leaved Silkpod · Parsonsia lanceolata · Parsonsia praeruptis
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Parsonsia heterophylla by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
