Geraldine eye on poroporo

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 3

Geraldine eye on poroporo

i Geraldine, long a flax[growing area, has hopes of establishing an industry [growing the native plant [poroporo (Solanum laciniaItum), for use in the manufacture of contraceptive pills. The Geraldine Borough [Council made inquiries to the [D.S.I.R. after one of the [councillors, Cr E, A. William[son, said that poroporo—as • the Maoris call it — grew [profusely as a weed in the • Geraldine area. ■ The Crop Research Division at Lincoln replied, saying that several years of research had demonstrated that the plant could be grown sat-

isfactorily for leaf production, as an annual crop, in the South Island.

Further research was continuing, said the letter, to try and increase the active ingredients of the plant, and minimise processing losses, with a view to establishing a processing industry in Canterbury.

“The cultivation of New Zealand Trees and Shrubs” by L. J. Metcalf, assistant director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens,, says that poroporo grows in coastal and lowland forest margins, and in scrubland throughout the North and South Islands.