Maori Nature Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7241, 12 June 1930, Page 8

Maori Nature Notes

(Specially written for the “Manawatu Daily Times”) [Copyright J.H.S.] POROPORO (a farewell supplication: dark), handsome, shrub about twelve feet, double pointed dark oreen leaves from two to nine inch-, es. Flower like that of its cousin the potato but larger and of deep purple ranging from violet to white. • Fruit shining light green, orange when ripe. Flowers and fruit in all stages appear together lor several months fn striking contrast with the very dark shade of the handsome leaves. The fruit is edible and widely distributed by birds. It is nearly related to the tomato and the Cape gooseberry, and to the deadly nightshade from which atropine and bella. donna are obtained. A caterpillar attacks the fruit and imparts to it the same repulsive flavour as that of the leaf which is poisonous. The Maori made a, healing ointment irom tho leaves, and the plant had sacred significance to him. A new variety with strikinglv handsome flower and bioader leaves has recently come to light. ' It blooms freely in a few months from planting. “Poroporo aki ki to Atua” were the final words to a British officer about to be killed with a Maori tomahawk at Ngutu o te Manu.