CENTENNIAL TREES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19700, 4 August 1938, Page 3

CENTENNIAL TREES

NATIVE FLOWERS SPRINGTIME Bl.nssOMS SHOW GOLDEGTIONtS By “Totara” We have asked Mrs. Douglas Blair, who is well-known as a lover of native trees, lo write a short article on native flowers for this column. "Totara” feels sure that many boys and girls will be interested in this article, part of which is printed in to-day’s notes. Native flowers is a big subject, but I shall attempt to condense this article. One of the first that springs lo mind is the golden kowhai of springtime that rings its bells whilst the tui sips the nectar. Its golden loveliness is held by a brown beelike cap. And the clematis that trails its white and green starry exquisiteness, over and amongst bush trees is a spring harbinger, too. The sweetscented star-like manuka, white and red, makes strong appeal. The red rata for summer—picture it against snows of the south, with blue of a summer sky. What a glorious blazing of the pohutukawa. I have seen it against golden sands and blue Bay of Plenty, with the steam of White Island lying beyond. And I have seen it mirrowed in calm water. Then there is the red icaka beak (ngutukaka), not scarlet kowhai as some call it. Its favourite place is on our East Coast up to the East Cape. Its bunches of beak-like flowers and ferny foliage are most attractive. The ti-kouka (cabbage-tree), in the early summer, has huge bunches of creamy flowers, that give out a wonderful almond perfume that attracts bees. In our district last summer, these trees were most profuse in their flowering. The Tauhere (lace-barit, ribbon-wood, thousand jacket) has great clusters of tiny cream flowers, that are also loved by the bees. On the creek bridge, off the Kaiti esplanade, there is a large tree, just grown from a whip-like slip. Mountain lilies are cup-like and while, and favour the snows of the south. Collections For A and P. Show There is some interesting news for boys and girls who are keen collectors. There are two classes for boys and girls at this year’s Show. The first class is for a collection of foliage, flowers and fruit of 12 New Zealand trees or shrubs. The second is for a collection of 12 New Zealand ferns. In each class the prizes are; First, 7s fid; second, ss; third, 2s fid. There is no entry fee. Conditions are as follows: — 1. The collection and mounting must be the work of the competitor, and collections must have been made since the last A. and P. Show. Parents and friends may give advice and supply names of specimens. 2. Fruits may be represented by a drawing. 3. The foliage, flower and fruit of each specimen are to be mounted on stout white paper or cardboard, either Gin. by Sin. or 12in. by Bin. They are not to be done in drawing books, as they cannot be properly displayed. The name of the specimen, with date and place of collection, must be written at the bottom.I*' 1 *' 4. Competitors must write their names on the back of the mount. 5. All exhibits must be delivered to the secretary’s office not later than the Friday prior to the Show. The secretary’s address is Childers road, Gisborne. The date of the Show will be notified later. Answers To Correspondents “Z.” 1. The shrub with the red stalk is mapou, or mapau (suttonia australis). It is also called red matipo, and is the true matipo. 2. Could you forward a bigger specimen, please. 3. Very pleased about native berries, thank you. Notes were received from Cynthia Godding and Ruth Biuck, Nuhaka Public School. Thank you Cynthia and Ruth. “Totara” hopes to use them next. week. - An acknowledgement for seeds has been received from Queenie Reedy, Makarika School. I am glad you are pleased with the seeds.