BOTANY. 
453 
leafed tree, which attains a considerable size, but is only found 
north of tbe Waikato; it bears a long oval kernel, thinly 
covered with pulp, which has a strong taste of turpentine. 
The fruit has a fine purple bloom, and looks like a large plum. 
The wood is only used as fuel. 
Taua ( — taua,) a noble looking tree, forming forests in 
several parts of the south. The peculiarity of the New Zealand 
forest is, with a few similar exceptions, that it is composed of 
all kinds of trees intermingled. 
The tawa has a small narrow leaf, and bears a purple plum¬ 
shaped fruit, not bad eating; the kernel when cooked is also 
eaten. The tree attains a great size, but the wood is only used 
as fuel, as it soon takes the worm : it is very white and light. 
The inner bark is sweet, and, infused, makes a very nice 
beverage for tbe traveller when his tea is out, which does not 
require sugar. Tangeo, (— calicaris.) 
Fam. Atherospermacece. — Pukatea , (laurelia Novce Zeal :) a 
large timber tree, but very perishable, it decays in a single 
year. Its roots are remarkably prominent, like the Austra¬ 
lian fig tree. The wood is spongy, but tough; it is more 
durable in water. 
Fam. Polygonacece. — Puka, {polygonum Australe,) the willow 
plant. 
Heruna, (— adpressum,) pohuehue , (— complexum ,) tutunahua, 
(— prostratum, rumex crispus, — brunonianus.) 
Fam. Chenopodiacece. — Poipapa, {chenopodium triandrum, 
— botrys, —• glaucum, — maritimum, — fruticosum, salicornia 
indica .) 
Fam. Amarantliacece. — Peronychicce. — Nahui , {alternan- 
thera denticulata ,) kohukohu. {mniarum biflorum .) 
Fam. Plantaginece. — Kopakopa, {plantago major.) This 
plantain closely resembles the European, but is indigenous 
and a valuable medicinal herb, well known to the natives. 
Plantago varia, a narrow downy-leafed plant; leaf long and 
of a brownish color. 
Fam. Salviacece. — Salvia koru. This beautiful flower is 
only found in the vicinity of the North Cape, bearing a laige 
blue and white flower. 
