THE ART ALIU'M OF \ H \V ZEALAND FLOIIA. 



35 



9. I'lTTOSPOIlUM UMBELLATUM {Banks ^ Sol.) 'PIh- I'mbcUod Pittospomm. 



Si'ECiiic I'liARACTEK. — A small live, 20-:iO ft,, liigli, 

 ovcrywhcro ^laln'ous, except the under sides and petioles of 

 the young leaves, peduncles, and eiilyees, which are covered 

 with silky fulvous hairs; branches whorled. Ijeaves alternate, 

 coriaceous, briglit green, "1 '.\ in. lon;^, obovate, or binceolafe- 

 oblong, olilusc or acute, unite entire, narrowed into petioles 

 J-V in. long. Flowers tuuuerous, rather large, nearly \ in. 



long in terminal umbels, or corymbs. Peduncles slender, 1 in- 

 long, sonu>time» only .1 an inch. SepaU ovatc-laneeolalc. 

 Petals linearublong, obtuse. Ovary pubescent. Capsule 

 rounded l-lolied, size of a hazel nut, 2-valved, valves woody, 

 gramdated on the surface. — lliiiidhook of Neir Zealand Flora, 



,,. n. 



Desckiptiox, etc. — This beautiful species is indig'enous to the Nortliern Island 

 only, and is eommon about tlie Bay oi" Islands and ueiy'hboui-hood. To the natives 

 living in that locality it is known as the " Karo." Like other members oi" its genus, 

 it is an evergreen, and is worthy of a place in our gardens and licdgerows. It attains, 

 generally, a height of from 20-30 feet, and is very ornamental. 



10. PITTOSPORUM EUGENIOIDES {A. Cumi.) The Eugenia-like Pittosporum. 



Specific Ciiaeactkh. — .A. small branching tree, 20-30 ft. 

 high, everywhere quite glabrous, except the inflorescence, and 

 at times the youngest leaves, which may have a few scattered 

 silky hairs ; branches often whorled. Leaves 2-4' in. long; 

 usually elliptical, acute, narrowed into long petioles, rarely 

 broader and obovate, quite entire, undidated or crisped, rather 

 coriaceous with numerous fine veins. Flowers i-i in. diameter, 



fragrant, diiecions (more or less), males with large anthers and 

 longer filanu'uts, collected in branched, many-llowered corynd)s, 

 with diverging, slender peduncles and pedicels ; braeteolcs 

 setaceous. Sejials very variable, ovate, acuminate, glabrous. 

 Petals narrow ami s])reading. recurved. C'a])sules numerous, 

 small, i in. long, ovoid, acute, glabrous, 2-'J-yalved. — Ifatulhook 

 of yeiv Zealand Flora, p. 21. 



Desckiptiox, etc.— Plate No. 9.— The " TARATA."— This elegant tree is loiind 

 on the East coast of both Islands, as far south as Otago. It attains a height of from 

 twenty to thii'ty feet, and has a stem from twelve to eighteen inches in diameter. It 

 is known to the settlers in some parts as " Lemon Wood." In growtli it is very com- 

 pact, and has a rich, dark-green foliage. "When in bloom in November and Deceml)er, 

 displaying its profuse masses of pale golden flowers, it is very ])retty. The flowers 

 possess a sAveet and deliciously-honied fragrance, which imparts an agreeable perfume 

 to the surrounding atmos2)here. Erom an artistic point of Aiew, the happy combination 

 of lio'ht and shade is exceedingly strikini?. This tree has a crreat attraction for bees, 

 who reap an abundant harvest from the large quantity of liont^v secreted in its flowers ; 

 To these visits, the plant being (more or less) dioecious, or some bearing both male and 

 female flowers on the same tree, the fertilisation of the seed is due. The wood is Avhite 

 and compact, but very difficult of combustion, and worthless for all purposes where 

 durability is desired. It is adapted for turnery purposes, and light furniture use. Our 

 plate represents the male flowers, the anthers of which are larger, and the filaments 

 longer, tlian those of the female. Of the several species the " Tarata " (P. eugeiiioides), 

 and the "Karo" (P. crassifoUuni), are, perhaps, the most shoA\y plants. The subject 

 of our notice is well worthy of horticultural care ; and in our shrubberies, or home 

 paddocks, would form an ornate and beautiful tree. The foliage is eagerly eaten by 

 cattle, and it is in no Avay j^ernicious. 



