76 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



bark is said to be liealing, but must be taken, so say the 

 natives, from the side of the tree toward the sunrise. 



Dacrydium laxifolium {The Loose-leaved Dacrydium). 



This is the smallest conifer known. Trees of only two inches in height may 

 sometimes be found in fruit. The largest specimens are from 2 to 3 feet high, but 

 these have weak, straggling stems, and are compelled to support themselves by 

 the bush amongst which they grow. The flowers and fruit are similar to those of 

 the ordinary rimu. 



Genus PJi/jIlocladiis. 



A small genus, confined to New Zealand, Tasmania and Borneo. Leaves of 

 two kinds, some linear, others small and scale-like. True leaves are found only 

 upon young plants. As the tree grows these leaves disappear and their place is 

 taken by fan-shaped phylloclades. j\Iale and female flowers upon the same tree. 

 Fruit, a small nut. (Name from the Greek signifying twig-leaf, in reference to 

 the fact that the leaves are replaced by shoots). 3 sp. 



Phyllocladus tpichomanoides {The Celery-leaved Pine). 



The native name of this tree — Tanekaha — is said to signify 

 virile, or strong in growth. It is chiefly remarkable for the 

 beauty of its leaf stalks, which are so enlarged and flattened 

 out as to present the appearance of true leaves. In shape 

 they are fan-like, and closely resemble the fronds of a maiden- 

 hair fern. This curious metamorphosis of the leaf-stalks 

 usually takes place in those plants which inhabit hot and arid 

 regions. 



The female flower of this pine is borne upon the edges of 

 the phylloclades, and the male flowers upon catkins at the tips of 

 the branches. The seedling tanekaha bears long, narrow 

 leaves, brownish-red above and green below, but these soon 

 fall away, and the true leaves are seen only as small scales on 

 the ends of the branches. The fruit is a small, inconspicuous 

 nut. The tree will grow to a height of sixty or seventy feet, 

 and the timber is much valued for its strength and durability. 

 The bark contains a large quantity of tannin, and a red dye is 

 obtained from it which is sometimes used in the preparation of 

 kid for gloves. The tannic acid of the bark is a valuable 



