POMADERRIS APETALA, Vahl. 
THE TAINUI. 
OrRDER—RHAMNE 2. 
(Plate VIII.) 
Tue tainui of the Maoris is a comparatively recent addition to our flora, having 
been discovered by Sir James Hector, Director of the Geological Survey Depart- 
ment, near the south head of the Mokau River in December, 1878, when it was 
described by him as a new species under the name of Pomaderris tainui.* 
It is of special interest on account of its legendary character: the Natives 
state that its habitat near the Mokau River is the site of the camp pitched by 
their ancestor on first landing in New Zealand, and that the plant itself originated 
from the rollers, or skids, and the green boughs that were brought as a flooring 
to the great canoe ‘‘ Tainui.’”’ As, however, the genus Pomaderris is absolutely 
restricted to Australia and New Zealand, the legend, like many others, appears 
to be without foundation, 
The tainui attains the extreme height of 2oft., with a trunk rarely exceeding 
5in. or 6in. in diameter ; sometimes much branched from the base, and invariably 
much branched above; bark smooth, brown; young branches densely clothed 
with white hairs. Leaves from 2in. to 3in. long, oblong-obtuse, shortly stalked, 
the upper surface wrinkled, under-surface clothed with appressed white hairs, 
veins prominent beneath. Flowers numerous, produced in rather large terminal 
panicles, and destitute of a corolla; the buds are clothed with dense white 
hairs, and the capsules are subsequently studded with small patches of white 
hairs. . 
PROPERTIES AND USEs., 
The wood is white, hard, and compact, adapted to the purposes of the 
turner; but, as the plant occurs in very limited quantity, it is not likely to be of 
economic value. 
DisTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Eastern and Southern Australia, and the North Island of New Zealand. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. 
I was informed by Sergeant Gilbert, of the Armed Constabulary, that it 
occurred by the sea in Kawhia Harbour, in the Auckland District ; also that he 
had observed a solitary plant growing near the sea between Kawhia and Mokau. 
The first-named habitat was confirmed by Mr. Jones, a settler at the Mokau. 
It covers fully an acre of ground between the Mokau and Mohakatina Rivers, 
Taranaki. Under cultivation this species is of rapid growth when the conditions 
are favourable, attaining the height of 12ft. in four years; after that its rate of 
srowth is evidently slower. It is very common in some districts of Victoria, 
where it attains the same height as with us, and is known as * hazel.” 
— —— —-———, 
ee SS > = 
* Trans. N.Z. Inst., xi., p, 428. 
