FAMILIAR SHRUBS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1930, Page 13 (Supplement)

FAMILIAR SHRUBS.

MAORI NATURE NOTES

(By

The Mistletoe.

J.H.S.

-Copyright),

The tupeia or mistletoe, of which there are many varities, had some sentimental significance for the Maori; but the pioneer lasses hailed it hs a Jink with the Old Land, and eagerly sought its aid for their Christmas festive decorations. Of course the lads climbed the tawhai and the batata, which were its favoured hosts, and brought it home in armfuls. It was said that the .popularity of kissing had much to do with its -disappearance from the bush; j at, any rate<it is now rarely found.

In Britain they know only one variety, that worshipped by the Druids and by young lovers ms a type of affection. New Zealand had many kinds, valued by the birds, which carried the sticky berries from free to tree to .be nourish-; ed by the sap of their chosen host. The viscid berries are sweet, and vary in colouring from pure' white to rich amethyst. As in the days of the Druids and of modern Britain, the tupeia was associated with the nature of a potent charm by, the.old-time Maori. ; The Mingi. ' '

The mingi (twisted) is a shrub re< sembling the small manuka, but with lighter green leaves which are more pointed. In the bush shrubbery when in bloom due may detect its presence by the delicious perfume from a distance of •t%venty-ifiVe yards, ■when it will be found Surrounded by butterflies. Unlike the manuka, whose hard seeds drop at its foot, the mingi berries, sweet and bright red, are carried by birds; thus we find it growing in single specimens among other bushes or in the open. It favours a dry soil.

As a cultivated plant in the garden or shrubbery it would be attractive. The Chatham Island mingi is said to be even more beautiful, having larger bloom and fruit. One variety has pure white berries'.•which are of rare occurrence in New Zealand bush. The wood is yellow, and though not growing to -any size was sought by early settlers for axe handles, and implements where toughness was desirable. The New Zealand' Myrtle.

The ramarama (glowing torch) is the New Zealand myrtle. The autumn tints of its curiously .embossed leayes, are of special beauty among the' wealth of evergreen trees in '.New Zealand. The small white myrtle blpdm'early in Janu-t ary serves to; emphasise the singular, beauty of the reddish brown and bronze ■’ leaves. Fifty years ago it was remark-; cd that/-we had “no appreciation for i our native flora, and neglected io cultivate this unique foliage plant.”’ The reproach is just as true to-day. With a potted specimen plant an 4 a supply of. easily procured; seed any, florist oversea would do a thriving busi- I ne£s. It is easily grown' and'■ hardy. \ Trees on the roadside, stripped of their foliage and smaller branches for ornament every year, still thrive. The English I myrtle is highly prized by garden levers; but ramarama is incomparably the finer shrub. It bears a reddish berry containing a number of flat seeds. ~ ... . . ~ , The Heketara.

The heketafa (descent) generally misnamed akeake, which it in no way resembles, is now seen only as a hedge plant, where the annual cutting, prevents (it from ;ffowerittg.n In the open-it grows into-,a bushyf jtree? with-: a? profusion of -small leaves; but'in its'native forest tbe leaves are'large? Its' branches of white, flowers develop into a feature of the north, hn^. -are seen at. them best In 'thev-early- spring. - Custom impels us to grow it in a hedge and'keep it cut, so we regard it indifferently-as a nonflowering plant. If‘ undisturbed, the curious wrinkled leaves,! "white bn one side, olive green on,the.Other, the leaf stems clothed in •brownish (hgirs, and the- whole surmounted by •attractive bunches;-of ; white flowers, ’make us, realise,.‘tthat’?. this- evergreen;/world _;of ' New''Zealand 'is' truly a beautiful'house to live in. ' The heketara* changes, its habit? according to z shadc or' sunshine; and is worthy of a place? in . every plantation. The wood of a mature ti-ee is like cream satin-in cabin-' ware. ? -. I The Kowhiwhi. .■ .'> ■ 1

Tho kowhiwhi (twining) is a shrub, the flowers and leaves of which are in certain seasons dark purple, an<J the fragrant bark almost black. When used as a hedge plant and cut back, it would seem to produce neither flower nor fruit. From its form and foliage with the black stems, it makes a handsome garden shrub. The gum exudes from a broken surface and was prized by the Maori for its sweet scent. It was worn by men and .women in a necklet of dressed flax, and found to have a soothing effect. . Karo (black dye) is said to be a seaside sister to the kowhiwhi, < but the .leaves are thick and hairy, a provision against drought and the of insects. Several varieties bear the same Maori names. As a hedge plant we refer to it a.s matipo, but that is quite a different shrub. The scent / of this’ shrub seems to be given off only at night as ( a guide to its dark flower, for fertilising insects. The kumarahou. •

The kumarahou. (colour like the new kumara) is a remarkable shrub with large leaves shaded on the underside, and abundant, clusters of dark yellow' blossoms like rosettes. It is peculiar- to poor lands in the far north, but under cultivation anywhere shows much improvement in form and colour. It is well worthy of a place in the shrubbery. The blooms of old gold on the cliff side in the north are truly a thing of beauty. Its fragrant flowers abound in honey, and attract flying visitors, both ' bird and insect, in thousands, during October and November.

It is said to grow in Victoria and ’ Tasmania, but it remained for the Maori to discover its wonderful curative value in th? rare occurrence of tarutawhiti, a species of influenza. Barefoot expeditions for hundreds of miles lasting for months were undertaken to procure the flowers, which were put in a gourd, covered with water, and hot stones dropped in to make a decoction for drinking. , ■