Forest Enchantment

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 30 (Supplement)

Forest Enchantment

By NORAH BENtf (M.8.G.), age 19 years. T WAS strolling leisurely along the road the other day when I noticed growing between the manuka trees, on the bank, a plant which strongly resembled what we call "cutty-grass." On investigating, I discovered several of these plants growing in the shade and, with their dainty seed-berries, they made an enchanting picture, tdrning a forest glade into a fairy dell. As 1 have seen them several times now in different parts of the bushland, I wondered if any reader familiar with them could supply the name of them? The description of the plant is as follows:—It grows in clump form, the roots stringy, and the veins in the leaves run parallel. These leaves are long, narrow and slender, bending in .graceful lines, they are flat and swordlike. The plant only consists of leaves, which are shiny and dark green. Its height is 18in. to 2ft., without the seeds, which are Ift. to 18in. higher. I was very interested in these seed berries, firstly, because they were so beautiful, and secondly, because of their unique formation. These seed berries are really magnificent. They are a yellowish-green at first, and are firm to the touch. The shape is oblong, and as the berries mature they become waxen and vary in colour. Their second change is deep violet blue, which ftill gradually change or fade Until it becomes white. This way they are really very beautiful, as the shades of colour they attain make them appear delicate and rare. Then from the white the waxen flesh shrivells and dries, leaving several seeds similar to those of the , passion fruit. When squeezed the berries become pulpy like a grape, and a juice of similar colour oozes out.

These berries grow on long single stems, and several dozen join on the one stem or leader. When the berries are at different stages on the one main stem they make an excellent decoration.

_ [The plant mentioned is the Dianella, little Diana, goddess of the woods, found everywhere throughout the New Zealand bush.—Editor.]