Flowers of Clianthus maximus
The name Clianthus is derived from the Greek words kleios and anthos; combined, they mean glory flower. Perhaps it is my proclivity for pop culture, but I can’t help but think of casting a magic spell within the Harry Potter universe when I recite Clianthus maximus.
Perhaps it isn’t magical, but it was certainly an important part of historic Māori culture. Only 153 individual trees remain in the wild as of a 2005 survey, but whether all of these are actually “wild” is unknown. “This species, was said to have been grown by Māori, and many inland associations [on New Zealand’s North Island] occur in the vicinity of former pa, kainga, gardens or canoe haul outs,” according to the factsheet on Clianthus maximus from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Although population numbers are low in the wild, there can be hope about the future for this critically endangered taxon. It has a number of factors on its side: it is relatively easy to propagate (see previous link), it takes well to cultivation (though it can be short-lived, due to pests–again, see previous link), and I would judge it as an excellent example of a charismatic species.
Clianthus maximus was named by the missionary and botanist William Colenso. Here are two more accounts of Colenso, one from the Royal Society and another from The Meaning of Trees. Botany Photo of the Day has only featured one plant named for Colenso so far: Fuchsia × colensoi.
Botany resource link: For Endangered Florida Tree, How Far to Go to Save a Species?, a topical article from Yale’s Environment 360.
The Florida torreya is North America’s most endangered conifer, with less than one percent of its population remaining. Now, scientists are mounting a last-ditch effort to save the torreya and are considering using new gene-editing technologies to protect it.
A beautiful flower with the other New Zealand species Clianthus puniceus being the logo for Dunedin Botanic Garden. Clianthus puniceus thrives in cultivation but has only one known wild population.
Please only post photos that make it easy know what the plant really looks like. The photo I received looked like something from a fun house mirror.
Hi Ann, that’s addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions. Although small, there are photographs of the entire plant in one of the above links.
I had to look up “charismatic species”. There is something new to learn every day. Thanks.
Ah, sorry! I had considered linking to something explaining it, but it was the end of day and mostly what I was finding was about charismatic megafauna (explains the concept). The term charismatic megaflora is sometimes used, but often in reference to trees.
Thank you for this post, Daniel. Readers might appreciate this entry from Wikipedia:
The common name reflects the Maori traditions.
Thanks Charles — I notice I forgot the common name as well, which that nicely adds.
Mildred sent along a note that seeds of this are available from some North American suppliers, for those North American readers interested in attempting it.
Hi so beautiful, reminds me a lot of the tree in my garden,Erythrina crisa-Galli.
From sunny Mauritius.