THE SHRUBS AND HERBACEOUS PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 25 
In the densest part of this belt of bush, we may meet with a 
specimen of New Zealand’s only palm, the Nikau (Areca sapida), 
more recently named Rhopalostylis. Its beauty vanishes as it is 
robbed of its protecting surroundings, and many a fine plant is 
felled for no other purpose than its nourishing incipient flower buds. 
On the outskirts of the bush the poisonous but graceful tutu 
(Coriaria ruscifolia) shows its drooping pinnate leaves and many 
flowered racemes, the petals of which are seductively offered to bird 
and beast as they develop into a red, succulent covering of the 
baneful berries. It is not unusual for the young shoots to be eaten 
by cattle, which have not had the benefit of ancestral tuition, when 
they become “‘ tooted ” with the alkaloid “ tutine,” stagger and die. 
Another baneful shrub, known as rangiora (Brachyglottis 
repanda), bearing scented composite panicles, attracts notice by its 
large leaves with a white tomentous under-surface. Much frequented 
by bees, its honey is said to be poisonous. The Maories use the 
plant medicinally, lending a hope that some day its virtues may 
be recognised in ‘‘ materia medica.” 
One of the most elegant shrubs of the low bush is a repre- 
sentative of the Lime-tree family, the Hinau (Elocarpus dentatus), 
each raceme being like a spray of lily-of-the-valley. 
A close relative of the latter is termed wine-berry (Aristotelia 
racemosa) by Colonial boys, the rich red berry of which is consumed 
by them, if the native pigeon has not anticipated the feast. This 
shrub, together with the ‘tutu,’ indicates a South American 
affinity with New Zealand. 
There is one of the pepper family at hand (Macropiper excelsum), 
called by the Maories “ kava-kava,” signifying “ bitter-bitter,” and 
the shrub scarcely differs in appearance, as far as I could tell, from 
the Kava-Kava growing on the Samoan Islands at Tutuela. This 
latter is used, after a disgusting ceremonial preparation, in the 
production of an intoxicating beverage. 
A shrubby species of the Solanacez occurs in the poro-poro (8. 
aviculare) growing to ten feet in height. It is only remarkable for 
the colour of its flowers, which vary from violet to magenta. The 
berries are wholesome but insipid— a miniature egg-fruit in shape. 
