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.