Parsonsia capsularis and Parsonsia heterophylla
The two most common Parsonsia species in New Zealand are P. capsularis and P. heterophylla. Māori names for these species include kaiwhiria for Parsonsia capsularis and kaihua for Parsonsia heterophylla. For other Māori names, see the online Māori Dictionary [7].
Both are sometimes referred to as native jasmine or New Zealand jasmine, but they are not closely related to Jasmine species.
Flowers
The two species are most easily distinguished between when they are flowering. The anthers extend out beyond the throat of the corolla (petals) in P. capsularis but are shorter in P. heterophylla. The flowers are also smaller on P. capsularis [1].
P. capsularis has flowers ranging in colour from white through to red; P. heterophylla flowers are white to yellow.
Parsonsia capsularis flower, with long anthers.
Parsonsia heterophylla flowers
Parsonsia heterophylla flowers
Seeds and capsules
Both species have long seed pods (a dehiscent fruit, known as a follicle) with many seeds within. The pods split to release the seeds, which are wind-dispersed. At least for P. heterophylla, the seeds can remain viable in the soil for more than a year [3].
Leaves
The leaves of both species are variable in shape. They also vary between juvenile and adult stages of the plants.
However, the leaves of P. capsularis are usually fairly uniform on a single plant, whereas P. heterophylla typically has a variety of leaf forms, especially on juvenile plants.
For adult plants, the leaves on P. capsularis are generally broader than those on P. heterophylla.
Kererū (New Zealand wood pigeons) are known to feed on the leaves [4].
Juvenile plant of Parsonsia capsularis in a garden.
Juvenile plant and brown leaf-form of Parsonsia capsularis.
Top side of Parsonsia heterophylla leaves.
(5 leaves on the left are from a juvenile plant
4 leaves on the right are from an adult plant)
Under side of Parsonsia heterophylla leaves.
(5 leaves on the left are from a juvenile plant
4 leaves on the right are from an adult plant)
Variable juvenile leaves of Parsonsia heterophylla.
Parsonsia heterophylla showing adult leaf form (and flowering).
Garden Notes
There are several varieties of Parsonsia capsularis known, with variations in form and colour [6].
If you wish to avoid the juvenile stage, plants can be propagated from cuttings [5].
P. heterophylla does well even at quite low light levels [2].
References
[1] Allan HH (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1. Government Printer.
[2 ] Baars R & Kelly D (1996). Survival and growth responses of native and introduced vines in New Zealand to light availability. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34:389–400
[3] Burrows CJ (1994) Fruit types and seed dispersal modes of woody plants in Ahuriri Summit Bush, Port Hills, western Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 32:169–181
[4] Clout M, Karl B, Gaze P (1991) Seasonal movements of New Zealand pigeons from a lowland forest reserve. Notornis 38:37–47.
[5] Cave Y & Paddison V (2002) The gardener’s encyclopaedia of New Zealand native plants. Godwit.
[6] Kirby CL (2016) Field guide to New Zealand’s epiphytes, vines & mistletoes. Printed House Ltd.
[7] Moorfield JC. Te Aka Māori Dictionary.