222 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



fiowers, an anomaly that lias never been fully explained. It is 

 probable that we liave here, examples of species that are 

 changing" from the hermaphrodite to the unisexual condition, 

 or vice versa. The problem presented is one of considerable 

 interest and importance, and should in the future attract the 

 attention of investigators. 



Meliaceae. 



The Family of Mahogany Teees. 



Distribution. — A tropical family of forest trees, which includes the 

 INIahogany, the Indian Satin Wood, and the Red Cedar of Australia. Found 

 •chiefly in Asia and America. 



Genus Dijso.rijhini. 



About 30 species, all large forest trees, often with a strong odour of garlic. 

 One species alone is found in New Zealand, and that is endemic. (Name from 

 the Greek, meaning sour or acid, in allusion to the bitter principle contained in 

 the leaves.) 



Dysoxylum spectabile {The Handsovie Dijsoxijlum). 



A tree, often 50 ft. in height, with handsome glossy leaves, iinequally 

 pinnate. Flowers J in. broad, white, produced in drooping axillary panicles. 

 The fruit is large and conspicuous, the hard thick capsule opening gradually, and 

 showing the brilliant scarlet covering of the seeds. This extra covering is called 

 the aril. (Mace is the aril of the nutmeg.) This tree is known to settlers as 

 the Neic Zealand Cedar. Maori name Kolwkohe. 1 sp. 



This is one of the most beautiful trees of the New Zealand 

 flora. Its large glossy leaves, its white, lily-of-the-valley-like 

 flowers, springing from the bare [)arts of trunk or branch, and 

 its large fruits, make it a conspicuous object in the bush of the 

 North Island, to which it is practically confined. In the South 

 Island it is rare, and is found only in the north of Nelson and 

 Marlborough. The leaves are very bitter, and an infusion of 

 them is sometimes used by bushmen as a tonic. The wood is 

 light, and very useful for fencing posts in loose sand. In 

 such situations it is more durable than any other New Zealand 

 tree. 



