COPROSMA ARBOREA, T. Kirk. 
THE: TREE KARAMU. 
ORDER=RUBIACE A. 
(Plate CXXXIL.) 
Tuis species was for many years confused with C. spathulata, although it differs 
: ely from that small plant, and is the largest member of the genus, as well 
us one of the most distinct. ‘‘ Karamu” is applied by the Maoris to several 
species of Coprosma, amongst which, I believe, this is included, but it is commonly 
termed “ tree-karamu”’ By basimen and aeetlers in the North. When growing 
}open places Cofrosma arborea forms a round-headed tree, 2oft. to 30ft. high, 
with a trunk from 6in. to r6in. in diameter ; sometimes, however, numerous trees 
2 hu pee together, when the branches are very short, and the trees are little 
more than straight poles less than rft. in diameter. The leaves are opposite, 
from ae to 31n. long and from #in. to rgin. broad, of a brownish-green tint, but 
0} ten purple or red beneath: they are obtuse at the apex, but gradually narrowed 
below into slender leaf-stalks. The male and female Howers are produced on 
oo trees, the former being crowded in many-flowered globular heads, 
terminating branchlets: the calyx is highly developed, and is deeply divided 
es to four or five sepals: the bell-shaped corolla is deeply cut into four or five 
eS, and the anthers are four or five in number, and carried on very long 
jrooping filaments. The female flowers are Sce in smaller heads, and the 
corolla is smaller than in the male. The berries are developed in clusters, and 
“BS 
are at first translucent, ultimately becoming black: they are two-secded. 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 
The wood of Coprosma arborea is of a yellow colour, although not of so deep 
-atintas that of C. linartifolia: it is very straight in the grain, firm, compact, 
and even, very tough and elastic. Although not durable when in contact with 
the ground, it is frequently used for fence-rails, which last for many years. It is 
also used by cabinetmakers for inlaying and other ornamental work, where its 
peculiar colour can be employed to advantage. 
DIsTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
See under Coprosma Baucriana, p. 109, ante, 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
 Caprosima arborea is endemic in the North Island, and has a very restricted 
distribution, being confined to the area between Manse and Tauranga on the 
east coast and Raglan on the west coast. It is ene abundant, althoneh it 
formerly occurred in profusion on Waiheke Island: it will probably become a 
tare plant with the progress of settlement. 
It prefers low levels, and has not been observed at altitudes above 8ooft. 
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