7(i PLANTS OF NEW ZI-:ALAND 



bark is said to be heabng, but must be taken, so say the 

 natives, fvom the side of tlie tree toward the sunrise. 



Dacrydium laxifolium (The. Loose-leaved Dacnjdiimi). 



This is the smallest eoiiifer known. Trees of only two inches in height may 

 sometimes be fonnd in fruit. The largest specimens are from 2 to .3 feet high, but 

 these have weak, stragghng stems, and are compelled to support themselves by 

 the bush amongst which they grow. The flowers and fruit are similar to those of 

 the ordinary rimu, 



Gi'ii ii.s FlijjUoclad IIS. 



A small genus, confined to New Zealand, Tasmania and Borneo. Leaves of 

 twci kinds, some linear, others small and scale-like. True leaves are fovmd only 

 upfjn }oung plants. As the tree grows those leaves disappear and their place is 

 taken by fan-shaped phylloclades. Male and female flowers upon the same tree. 

 Fruit, a small nut. (Name from the Greek signifying twig-leaf^ in reference to 

 the fact that the leaves are rejilaeed by shoots). 3 sp. 



Phyllocladus trichomanoides [Tlie Celery-leaved Pine). 



Tile native name of this tree — Taiiehaha — is said to signitY 

 virile, or strong in growth. It is cliiefly remarkable for the 

 beauty of its leaf stalks, which are so enlarged and flattened 

 out as to present the appearance of true leaves. In shape 

 they are fan-like, and closely resemble the fronds of a maiden- 

 hair fern. This curious metamorphosis of tire leaf-stalks 

 usually takes place in those plants which inhabit hot and arid 

 regions. 



The female flower of this [)ine is borne upon the edges of 

 the phylloclades, and the male flowers upon catkins at the tips of 

 the branches. The seedling ta,nekaha bears long, narrow 

 leaves, brownish-red above and green below, but these soon 

 fall away, and the true leaves are seen only as small scales on 

 the ends of the branches. The fruit is a small, inconspicuous 

 nut. The tree will grow to a height of sixty or seventy feet, 

 and the timber is much valued for its strength and durability. 

 The Ijai'k contains a large quantity of tannin, and a red dye is 

 obtained fr(jm it which is sometimes used in the preparation of 

 kid for gloves. The tannic acid of the bark is a valuable 



