PITTOSPORUM TENUIFOLIUM, Banks and Solander. 
THE TAWHIWHL 
OrbdER—PITTOSPOREAE. 
(Plate XLVI.) 
PITrosrORUM TENUIFOLIUM is an extremely variable plant, and includes several 
forms to which specific rank has been given—P. Colensot, P. fasciculatum, P. 
uitermedium, and P. Buchanani—all of which may be regarded as forms of one 
variable species; but the present description will be confined to the plant bear- 
ing this name in the Auckland District, and especially characterized by small 
leaves of a pale or whitish-green tint. 
The tawhiwhi of the Maoris was discovered during Cook’s first voyage by 
Banks and Solander, who gave it the name by which it is generally known. It 
is a small round-headed tree, which, in its best-developed state, attains the 
height of from 3oft. to 4goft., but is often much smaller. The trunk rarely 
Srcnads I5in. in diameter, although larger specimens are occasionally met with. 
The bark is smooth, even, and bl bck The leaves are alternate, broadly oblong 
in shape, from tin. to Idin. in length, obtuse or acute, on short leaf-stalks. T a 
chocolate-coloured flowers are produced freely in the early spring, and are usually 
solitary in the axils of the leaves. The calyx-leaves are narrow, pubescent, and 
the petals are spreading ; the stamens and styles about equalling the petals in 
length, The fruit is broadly egg-shaped, covered with fine pubescence when 
young, but ultimately forming a woody capsule the size of a hazel-nut and open- 
ing by three valves: the black seeds are imbedded in a viscid transparent gluten, 
from which the name of the genus is derived. The flowers are expanded in 
September and October. 
By the settlers it is frequently called ‘‘ black mapou’’ on account of the 
colour of the bark. Mr. Colenso, however, informs me that “ mapou”’ is rightly 
apphed to Myrsinme Urviller only (Pl. XVI.). With still less excuse it is some- 
times called “ black maple,”’ an obvious corruption of the preceding. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
See ante, Pittosporuim crassifolium, p. 21. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Pittosporum tenuifolium occurs from the North Cape to Stewart Island; the 
smaller-leaved forms are most frequent north of the East Cape, but forms with 
larger leaves are most abundant in southern districts, especially in the South 
Island. 
PROPERTIES AND Uszs. 
The wood is brownish-white, very firm, straight-grained, and of even texture. 
It is very strong, tough, and elastic, but not durable when in contact with the 
ground, although it is frequently used for fencing-rails. Its specific gravity 
45 
