The Titoki (_Alectryon excelsum_) is one of the larger trees. Its timber is strong, tough, and durable. Its seed is full of a fine fixed oil, which the Maori used to extract and employ as an unguent.
The Manawa, or "mangrove" (_Avicennia officinalis_), is very plentiful in the north, along the shores of tidal waters. The wood is found useful for some minor purposes, and might be used as a source of crude soda, perhaps.
The Ngaio (_Myoporum laetum_) is a small bushy tree, capable of being grown into hedges.
The Neinei (_Dracophyllum latifolium_) is but a small tree. The wood is hard, and is valued for making mallets and the handles of implements.
The Mapau (_Myrsine Urvillei_) affords good material for fencing.
The Mapauriki (_Pittosporum tenuifolium_) has handsome foliage, and a dark purple flower, and can be grown as a shelter tree.
The Kaiwhiria (_Hedycarya dentata_) is remarkable on the same account.
The Houhere (_Populnea Hoheria_) is a fine large tree of the linden kind. Like that tree, its inner bark may be utilized for bass and matting. The flower is snow-white, and very handsome.
The Kaikomako (_Pennantia corymbosa_) will be much cultivated as a garden ornament. The flower is sweet-scented, and the fruit is edible.
This comprises the catalogue of native trees, so far as they are known in our shanty; but, it is said that there are nearly as many more varieties indigenous to the country, though considerably scarcer than any of those mentioned.
There are some shrubs noticeable for one reason and another. We are in the habit of collecting the seeds of such as have remarkably handsome blooms or leafage, and sending them home for our friends to try and raise in their conservatories. A few of our trees and shrubs will bear the English climate, if properly attended to. I have seen fair specimens in botanical gardens. Still, they will never attain their full proportions there. Our favourite flowering or foliage shrubs are these:—
The Akakura (_Metrosideros scandens_), a beautiful climber, which will develop into a tree if allowed to grow. It bears flowers like tufts of crimson silk.
The Akepiro (_Olearia furfuracea_), a shrub with velvety foliage.
The Angi-angi (_Geniostoma ligustrifolium_), a shrub with a white flower.