68 PLANTS OP NEW ZEALAND 



though Cokniso states that its correct name is Pahanica. The pol^^syllabic name 

 Tvtanildri'koUikjihiku ' ' has also been applied to it, but Colenso, with admirably 

 unconscinns humour, states that " no old Maori would have thought o£ such a 

 thing." It and the previous species are sometimes also called the Nev Zealand 

 Cedar, but must not be confused with Di/so.rylum spectabile, to which this name 

 is often applied. 



Genus Poil()caij)/is. 



Shrubs or trees. Leaves very variable. Catkins variable. Fruit a drupe, 

 often edible. A large genus found in tropical and sub-tropical countries. 

 According to the theory of Celakowsky, the female flower consists of one carpel, 

 and one ovule with two integuments. In nrost of the New Zealand species, as 

 the ovule ripens, the integuments become crimson and fleshy, thus attracting 

 birds. (Name from the Greek signifying foot-fmited, in allusion to the fleshy 

 peduncle). 7 sp. 



Podocat^pus ferruginea {Tlie Fliisti/ rodocarpiis or Miro). 

 A large tree, covered witli a grey or blackish bark, 

 which peels off in large flakes. The leaves are narrow and 

 pointed, and are set ni two rows on the branches. Male 

 and female flowers are on separate trees — both axillary. 

 The fruit is of the size of a small plum. It is of a bright 

 red colour, and is covered when first ripe with a waxy 

 powder, whicli gives it a delicate bloom. Native pigeons are 

 very fond of the miro berries, and become very fat and 

 lazy when feeding on them. These fruits have the odour and 

 the taste of turpentine. They ripen in July and August, and 

 the flowers are produced in October and November. The 

 timl)er is hard and tough. It is not easily worked, neither is 

 it so durable as that of most of the other pines. The gum 

 which oozes from this tree possesses heafmg properties. It is 

 found m both islands. The specific name alludes to the rusty 

 colour of the leaves. 



Podocarpus nivalis (The Mountntn. Totara). 



A much smaller tree than the preceding, often only a low shrub, densely 

 Ijranched. The Ijranches grow outwards rather than upwards, and send out 

 roots from their lower surfaces, thus forming a matted growth over the surface 

 of the ground. Tlieso matted roots serve to hold together the loose soilgand 

 shingle of the alpine slopes, thus preventing landslips. The leaves are thick and 

 leathery, with a stout midrib. The integuments of the ovule become very 



