Brighter Britain! (Volume 2 of 2): or Settler and Maori in Northern New ZealandHay, W. Delisle (William Delisle)
History
Brighter Britain! (Volume 2 of 2): or Settler and Maori in Northern New Zealand
Hay, W. Delisle (William Delisle)
Ethnology -- New Zealand; Māori (New Zealand people); New Zealand -- Description and travel
There are some shrubs noticeable for one reason and another. We are in
the habit of collecting the seeds of such as have remarkably handsome
blooms or leafage, and sending them home for our friends to try and
raise in their conservatories. A few of our trees and shrubs will
bear the English climate, if properly attended to. I have seen fair
specimens in botanical gardens. Still, they will never attain their
full proportions there. Our favourite flowering or foliage shrubs are
these:—
The Akakura (_Metrosideros scandens_), a beautiful climber, which will
develop into a tree if allowed to grow. It bears flowers like tufts of
crimson silk.
The Akepiro (_Olearia furfuracea_), a shrub with velvety foliage.
The Angi-angi (_Geniostoma ligustrifolium_), a shrub with a white
flower.
The Kaikaiatua (_Rhabdothamnus Solandri_). The Maori evidently
appreciated some part of this plant, the name of it signifying "Food
of Gods," precisely the same title by which the old Greeks spoke of
certain dainty mushrooms. It has a fine orange and red-striped blossom.
The Kapuka (_Griselinia littoralis_), a small tree with a yellow-green
foliage.
The Karamu or Papaumu (_Coprosma_, _sp._), a family of pretty flowering
shrubs.
The Karetu (_Hierochloe redolens_), which is not a shrub exactly, but a
grass, renowned for its delicious scent.
The Kihi-kihi (_Pittosporum crassifolium_), a shrub with purple
flowers, akin to the mapauriki.
The Kohia (_Passiflora tetandra_), the seeds of which yield a bland
oil, that may probably be some day utilized.
The Korokio (_Corokia Buddleoides_), a fine erect tree, bearing a
conspicuous red berry.
The Koromiko (_Veronica_, _sp._), these pretty species are astringent,
and their shoots are a remedy for scouring in cattle.
The Kotukutuku (_Fuchsia excorticata_), when full-grown, it becomes one
of the largest trees.
The Kowhaingutukaka (_Clianthus puniceus_), bears especially fine red
and orange blossoms.
The Kumerahu (_Pomaderris elliptica_), is sweet-scented.
The Mairehau (_Phebalium nudum_), grows well.
The Oho (_Panax Lessonii_), is recommended, but we do not admire it.
The Pere (_Alseuosmia Banksii_), a straggling, spreading bush.
The Pikiarero (_Clematis indivisa_), is very plentiful in the forest.
It has fine white, sweet-scented flowers.
The Ratapiki (_Metrosideros Florida_), is a species much the same as
the akakura.
The Rohutu (_Myrtus pedunculata_), is pretty.
The Toro (_Persoonia Toro_), becomes a tree. It has rich foliage.
Besides these there are one or two climbers and shrubs that are
plentiful everywhere, and must be noticed for other peculiarities. They
are these:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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