Parsonsia heterophylla
| Parsonsia heterophylla | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Parsonsia |
| Species: | P. heterophylla |
| Binomial name | |
| Parsonsia heterophylla | |
| Occurrence data from GBIF | |
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.
Parsonsia variabilis Lindl. is listed as a synonym by the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. However, IPNI and Plants of the World online list Parsonsia variabilis as a synonym of Parsonsia capsularis.