244 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



This is one of the three large-leaved trees of New Zealand 

 that by their foliage seem to suggest a tropical origin. The 

 other two are Meryta Sinclairii and Pisonia brunoniana. Its 

 nearest relation is apparently Sparmannia of the Cape of Good 

 Hope. It has been suggested that the spinous character of the 

 fruit is probably due to the need for protection against grazing 

 animals, in the country whence it originally came. Perhaps 

 the only other New Zealand fruit similarly protected, is the 

 nut of Sicyos australis. 



It seems, however, unlikely, that either of these plants has 

 indued itself with bristles, as a safeguard against browsing 

 mammalia. Bitter juices are a better protection than thorny 

 leaves, and an edible fruit is often of more value to the plant, 

 than one which is inedible. As a matter of fact, the spinous 

 fruits of the whau form no protection to it, for if stock are 

 running in the neighbourhood, all the young plants are eaten 

 up by cattle, before they have time to develop their seeds. 

 Indeed, were the fruit of the whau edible, the bristles upon it 

 would be a quite insufficient defence against grazing animals, 

 as they are often fond of sharp plants. Horses, for example, 

 will eat dead thistles in preference to grass. Sheep sometimes 

 eat the prickly leaves of Leptospermum scoparium, and, did 

 they taste sufficiently pleasant, the sharp tips would not 

 hinder stock from grazing on the plant. It is the bitter acrid 

 juice developed in the leaves which is its chief safeguard. 

 It seems probable, therefore, that some other reason must be 

 sought for to explain the spinous coat of the seed of the whau. 



Genus Aristotelia. 



Small trees, with 'opposite, deeply-toothed leaves. Flowers in panicles or 

 racemes. Fruit a berry. (Named in honour of Aristotle). 3 sp. 



Aristotelia racemosa (The Racemose Aristotelia). 



A small tree 6ft. -30ft. high, with red bark. Flowers in large panicles, 

 varying in colour from a faint rosy flush to deep claret. Fruit, a red 3- or 

 4-celled berry. North and South Islands. Fl. Nov. -Dec. 



