''Kunzea sinclairii'', also known as the Great Barrier Island kānuka, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family,

Myrtaceae Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All speci ...

and is endemic to Great Barrier Island in the

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing ...

, New Zealand.

Taxonomy and naming

''Kunzea sinclairii'' was first formally described in 1899 by British botanist Thomas Kirk, who named the species ''Leptospermum sinclairii''. Kirk named the species after Andrew Sinclair, who he believed had originally discovered the plant. Kirk visited Great Barrier Island in late 1867, during which time he likely collected specimens of the plant. In 1983, Australian botanist Joy Thompson revised the genus ''Leptospermum'', transferring the species within the genus '' Kunzea''. A new combination was published in 1987, making the plant's currently accepted name ''Kunzea sinclairii''.

Description

Kirk's original

type description A species description is a formal description of a newly discovered species, usually in the form of a scientific paper. Its purpose is to give a clear description of a new species of organism and explain how it differs from species that have be ...

of the species is as follows: Kirk notes that the species is similar to '' K. ericoides'', but the two species can be told apart due to the larger flowers of ''K. sinclairii'', as well as the "white silky leaves" and because the "ovary is sunk fully one-third below the narrow calyx-tube, while the sepals and petals are narrower, and the style is extremely slender". The species typically grows into a wide-spreading shrub, however on occasion can grow into a tree that can reach as tall as .

Hybridisation

The species has been known to form a hybrid with '' K. linearis''. ''Kunzea linearis × Kunzea sinclairii'' has been found on the western shores of Great Barrier Island. The species has also been known to hybridise with '' Leptospermum scoparium'' (mānuka), and with '' K. robusta''.

Distribution and habitat

This kunzea is endemic to Great Barrier Island in the

, New Zealand. It thrives in rocky tors, cliffs and gorges, usually dominating rocky habitats on the island. ''K. sinclairii'' is estimated to cover or 0.3% of the total land area of Great Barrier Island.

Conservation status

''Kunzea sinclairii'' is listed as "threatened – nationally critical" under the New Zealand threat classification series 3.

Gallery

Kunzea sinclairii (Kirk) W.Harris (AM AK5515).jpg, Lectotype of ''K. sinclairii'' from the Auckland War Memorial Museum herbarium Kunzea sinclairii 1754984.jpg, Flowers of ''K. sinclairii'' Kunzea sinclairii 1754985.jpg, ''K. sinclairii'' growing in a rocky canyon on Great Barrier Island

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15368974 sinclairii Endemic biota of the Auckland Region, New Zealand Endemic flora of New Zealand Great Barrier Island Plants described in 1899 Taxa named by Thomas Kirk