DRIMYS AXILLARIS, Forster. 
THE HOROPITO. 
OrpER—MAGNOLIACE. 
(Plates I. and ITI.) 
Tue horopito, or pepper-tree of the settlers, is an ornamental shrub or small tree 
occurring in woods, on the margin of which it is sometimes found in great 
abundance. It attains a maximum height of nearly 30ft., but is frequently 
reduced to a much-branched shrub, and is characterized by black bark, green 
elossy foliage, and a profusion of small yellowish-green flowers, which are 
succeeded by bright crimson fruit. 
In the variety colorata the leaves are smaller, paler in colour, and blotched 
with red. The attractiveness of the plant is increased by the lower surface of 
the leaves being usually of a faint bluish-green tint, sometimes approaching 
white. 
The plant commences to flower during the month of October, and continues 
in a flowering state until the middle or close of December. The fruit ripens in 
March and April. 
The specific name ‘‘axillaris’’ is derived from the flowers being developed 
in the axils of the leaves. 
This species is of casy cultivation, and, from its ornamental appearance 
should find a place in every shrubbery. 
One species of this genus—D. Waunteri—yields the Winter’s bark of the 
druggist. It was discovered in Magellan Straits in 1578 by Captain Winter, 
commander of the ‘‘ Elizabeth,”’ belonging to the fleet of Sir Francis Drake. 
The bark was steeped in honey to remove its acridity, and proved a valuable 
remedy for scurvy on the voyage home. 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 3 
Although very ornamental, the wood of the horopito is of small dimensions, 
as the trunk rarely exceeds Sin. in diameter; it is of a reddish colour, with pale 
markings. Itis used by cabinet-makers chiefly for inlaying. The wood of the 
variety is usually of a paler tint than that of the type. Unfortunately, the 
demand is limited and intermittent, so that the wood is rarely placed on the 
market. It is not durable when exposed. ‘The leaves and bark are aromatic 
and pungent; the former are occasionally used by settlers suffering from 
diarrhoeic complaints. 
DIsTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
In addition to the present species, four others are included in Drimys: two 
of these are found in Australia, one in Borneo, and one in America, extending 
from Cape Horn to Mexico. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Drimys axillaris is restricted to New Zealand, and extends from the North 
Cape to Stewart Island; but the distribution of the variety colorata differs from 
