Clianthus

Kakabeak
Kakabeak leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Clade: Inverted repeat-lacking clade
Tribe: Galegeae
Subtribe: Astragalinae
Genus: Clianthus
Sol. ex Lindl. (1834 publ. 1835)[1]
Type species
Clianthus puniceus
(G. Don) Sol. ex Lindl.
Species[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Donia G.Don & D.Don (1832), nom. illeg.
  • Eremocharis R.Br. (1849)

Clianthus, commonly known as kakabeak (kōwhai ngutukākā in Māori), is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, comprising two species of shrubs endemic to the North Island of New Zealand.[2] They have striking clusters of red flowers which resemble the beak of the kākā, a New Zealand parrot. The plants are also known as parrot's beak, parrot's bill and lobster claw – all references to the distinctive flowers. There is also a variety with white to creamy coloured flowers called: "Albus," and a variety with rosy pink flowers called: "Roseus."[3]

  1. ^ Entry in New Zealand Plants database, Landcare Research. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Clianthus Sol. ex Lindl. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  3. ^ Paddison, Valda (2003). The Gardener's Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Native Plants. Godwit. p. 189. ISBN 1869620437. Retrieved 2020-08-31.