PLATE 23.—ARISTOTELIA RACEMOSA. 
(THE MAKOMAKO OR WINEBERRY.) 
Famity TILIACE/.. | [Genus ARISTOTELIA, L’Her. 
Aristotelia racemosa, Hook. }. Fl. Nov. Zel. 1, 33; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 83. 
Not many New Zealand trees have a wider distribution than the subject of 
this plate, which is found in lowland forests from the North Cape to the south of 
Stewart Island, and is common in most soils and situations from sea-level to an 
altitude of considerably over 2,000 ft. Like numerous other New Zealand plants, 
it was discovered by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander during Cook’s first visit. 
Dr. Solander, in his manuscript “ Primitize Flore Nove Zelandiz,” gave it the 
name of Triphalia rubicunda ; but, 28 already mentioned in this work, his names 
were never actually published, and consequently have no standing in systematic 
botany. In 1776 the two Forsters published it in their ‘‘ Characteres Generum ” 
under the name of Dicera serrata, but with an altogether insufficient diagnosis ; 
and George Forster’s later description in the ‘“‘ Prodromus” is equally unsatisfactory. 
In 1832, however, A. Richard, in the “ Botany of the Voyage of the ‘ Astrolabe,’ ” 
published a full description of the plant from Forster’s manuscripts, which leaves 
no doubt as to the identity of the species. A. Cunningham, in 1840, referred it to 
Friesia, giving it the new specific name of racemosa; and Sir J. D. Hooker, who 
in the “ Flore Nove Zelandiz ” first placed the plant in its correct genus Aristotelia, 
unfortunately used Cunningham’s name. This is much to be regretted, as Forster’s 
appellation was the one entitled to priority. Now, alter the lapse of sixty years, 
during which the present name has been used without any interruption, I hesitate 
to make a change which will inevitably cause much confusion and from which little 
advantage can be derived. 
Aristotelia racemosa is usually the first tree to reappear when the forest has been 
cut down or burnt, and thus often forms large groves to the exclusion of other 
species, or fringes for long distances the sides of roads cut through forest districts. 
It is a slender graceful tree, handsome at all times ; but in spring, when the young 
leaves have put on their varied hues of purple and green, and when the rosy tints 
of the flowers are everywhere conspicuous, it often presents a charming and 
attractive appearance. It does well in cultivation, but requires to be sheltered 
from strong winds. The only economic use to which the timber has been applied 
is for making charcoal for the manufacture of gunpowder. 
Aristotelia is one of those genera which connect the floras of South America, 
Australia and New Zealand, and the Melanesian islands. Two species are found 
in South America, three in New Zealand, three in Australia, one in the New 
Hebrides, and one in New Guinea. Australia and eastern Polynesia thus appear to 
be the centre of distribution of the genus, but the existence of the two isolated 
species in South America is difficult to account for. 
PuaTE 23. Aristotelia racemosa, drawn from specimens collected on the Waitakarei Range, near 
Auckland. Figs. 1 and 2, male flowers (x 5) ; 3, petal, showing the three lobes (x 8) ; 4, stamen (x 7) ; 
5, female flower (x 5); 6, rudimentary stamen (x 8); 7 and 8, transverse and longitudinal section of 
ovary, showing the position and attachment of the ovules (x 8); 9 and 10, ripe seed and longitudinal 
section of the same (enlarged) ; 11, embryo (enlarged). 
