The following list of trees, shrubs, &c, has been prepared to assist
entomologists in recognising the various food-plants mentioned in
connection with the insects described in the foregoing pages. In order to
meet the requirements of beginners, all botanical terms have been omitted.
Those desiring precise scientific information on these plants, will of
course consult works specially dealing with botany.
ACIPHYLLA SQUARROSA (Spear-grass). A plant often found on the sea-coast,
or open hilly country, with long, very sharp spines instead of leaves.
The flowers are very small, and are placed round a tall central shoot,
which is also covered with spines.
ASCLEPIAS (Milkweed).
ASTELIA SOLANDRI. A plant found growing on the stems of large forest
trees. It has very long, narrow, dark green leaves springing from the
base of the plant, and lemon-coloured flowers arranged on a long stem.
The berries are bright crimson.
ALECTRYON EXCELSUM (Titoki). A moderate-sized tree with leaves rather
long, toothed, and light green. The fruit has a very remarkable
appearance; it consists of a shining black seed, partially surrounded by
a bright red fleshy covering.
APOCYNUM (the common Periwinkle).
ARISTOTELIA RACEMOSA (Wine-berry, New Zealand Currant, Makomako). A
well-known tree, often found in clearings in the forest, where it usually
takes the place of the original trees; in fact this plant seems to seize
on every vacant space. Its leaves are pale green, the flowers are much
like those of the garden "flowering currant," and the berries are small
and dark red.
BEILSCHMIEDIA TAWA (Tawa tree). A handsome tree, with very long, narrow,
light green leaves, and smooth bark.
BRACHYGLOTTIS REPANDA (Wharangi). One of the early flowering shrubs, with
large bunches of small, strong-scented, white flowers. The leaves are
large and pale green, the under side being white.
CARMICHÆLIA, or New Zealand Broom. A genus of shrubs closely resembling
the common broom, but with very small flowers, more or less streaked with
blue or lilac.
{138}CARPODETUS SERRATUS. A pretty shrub or small tree with rather small,
serrated, bright green leaves and numerous clusters of small whitish
fragrant flowers, followed by nearly globular hard green fruits.
CAREX SUBDOLA (Sedge).
COPROSMA. A genus of shrubs with small, generally rather dull green
leaves, insignificant flowers, and bright, variously coloured berries.
One common species, _Coprosma foetidissima_, has a most objectionable
odour when cut or bruised.
CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS (Ti-tri, or Cabbage tree, as it is usually called).
This is one of the most remarkable-looking trees in New Zealand. It much
resembles a palm in general appearance. The leaves are long and narrow,
with parallel veins; the flowers are whitish, very numerous, growing in
drooping clusters at the top of the tree.
CYATHEA DEALBATA (Silver tree fern). A large tree fern, growing from ten
to forty feet high, with a slender black stem, and dark green fronds
silvery underneath.
DISCARIA TOUMATOU (Wild Irishman, Tumatakuru). A straggling shrub, or
small tree, often common in dry, open places. It is furnished with
numerous long sharp spines, with several very insignificant flowers and
leaves at the base of each spine.
DONATIA NOVÆZEALANDIÆ. A small Alpine plant, with very short stems,
around each of which are placed numerous leaves. It has a superficial
resemblance to a moss.
FAGUS CLIFFORTIOIDES (Mountain Beech, but more often known as Birch or
Black Birch). A very handsome forest tree, usually growing in somewhat
elevated localities. It has small light green leaves, and black stems
with very rough bark.
FUCHSIA EXCORTICATA (our native Fuchsia). A very common tree or shrub
growing in the forest. The bark is pale reddish-brown; the leaves rather
elongate, dark green, with pale under-side. The flowers closely resemble
those of the cultivated fuchsia, but are less brightly coloured. This
plant partially sheds its leaves in winter.
GALINIA SETIFOLIA. A large, grass-like plant growing in clumps, with very
long, dark green leaves, which cut the fingers unless the plant is
carefully handled. A number of small, brown flowers is situated near the
top of a tall stem, in the centre of each clump.
HALORAGIS ALATA. A herbaceous plant abundant on dry hills; the leaves are
deeply indented, slightly rough, and arranged on opposite sides of the
stem. The flowers are small and green; the fruit is a nut with small
wings attached.
LEPTOSPERMUM SCOPARIUM (Manuka, Tea tree). A small tree, growing usually
in poor soil. The leaves are very small and dull green, and the numerous
star-like flowers are white, tinged with pink.
MELICOPE SIMPLEX. A somewhat straggling shrub with very small, roundish,
light green leaves.
MELICYTUS RAMIFLORUS (Mahoe or Hinahina). A shrub or tree. The leaves are
moderately toothed, bright green, and very pretty. The flowers are in
clusters, hanging from the bases of the leaves; the fruit is
violet-coloured with black seeds.
METROSIDEROS SCANDENS (White Rata). A common climbing shrub with small,
roundish, glossy, dark green leaves and very numerous feathery white
flowers. The seed has a powdery appearance, and is enclosed in a large
capsule.
{139}MUHLENBECKIA ADPRESSA. A common climbing plant, generally found near
the edge of the forest. It has a very tangled growth. Leaves heart-shaped
or broadly oblong; in young plants, three-lobed; spike, many-flowered.
MYOSOTIS ARVENSIS (Forget-me-not).
MYRTUS BULLATA (Ramarama). A remarkably pretty shrub with reddish-brown
or green leaves, much crinkled. The flowers are white, tinged with pink,
and very much resemble those of the English myrtle. Berries about the
size of currants, red or purple.
OENOTHERA BIENNIS (the Evening Primrose). This herb grows to the height
of two or three feet. It has large, bright yellow flowers, opening
towards evening. Found in sandy soil on the sea-coast.
OLEA APETALA (Maire, New Zealand Olive). A shrub or small tree with broad
leaves, and insignificant flowers growing on opposite sides of the
flower-stalk.
OLEARIA TRAVERSII (Ake-ake). A small tree or shrub with oval, very wavy,
thick, pale green leaves, white underneath. The flowers are very small,
yellowish-white and strongly scented. They do not appear till late in
autumn.
PANAX ARBOREA. A small tree with bright, glossy green, compound leaves.
Each leaf consists of five separate leaflets on distinct footstalks,
connected with branch by a long, stout stem. The large bunches of black
berries are very conspicuous in the autumn.
PENNANTIA CORYMBOSA. A small tree with oval, serrated, bright green
leaves, and handsome clusters of sweet-scented white flowers.
PIPER EXCELSUM (Kawa-kawa). A small tree generally growing in damp
places. The leaves are broad, heart-shaped, bright green, and nearly
always riddled with holes.
PITTOSPORUM EUGENIOIDES (Tarata). A shrub or small tree, with rather
elongate, pale green wavy leaves, and bundles of fragrant, small, yellow
flowers.
PITTOSPORUM TENUIFOLIUM, var. NIGRESCENS (Matipo). A very ornamental
shrub with small, shining, bright green leaves, and black stems. The
flowers are dark purple, and rather buried among the foliage.
PLAGIANTHUS BETULINUS (South Island Ribbon Wood). A tree of moderate
size. The leaves are rather light green, and doubly serrated. The flowers
are small, white, with red anthers, and very numerous.
POA AUSTRALIS (Tussock). One of the common native grasses of New Zealand.
It grows in large clumps, often about two feet in height. It is
especially common in open situations in the South Island.
POMADERRIS ERICIFOLIA (Tauhinu, or Cotton Wood). A shrub usually growing
in rather exposed places. The leaves are very small, pointed, dull green
above and white underneath. They are placed very closely on the stems,
which are also white. The flowers are dull yellowish-white, and grow in
clusters.
PTERIS INCISA. A soft, light green, straggling fern, growing in open
places in the forest, and round decayed logs.
SCABIOUS ("Pincushion"). An introduced garden plant. The flowers are of
many different colours--the name "pincushion," gives the best description
of appearance. It is very attractive to insects.
{140}SENECIO BELLIDIOIDES. A common mountain herb, with rather dark green
leaves, and a small tuft of bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
SENECIO SCANDENS (called by settlers French Ivy). A common climbing plant
having a superficial resemblance to ivy, but with much brighter green
leaves, and yellow flowers.
SENECIO VULGARIS (Groundsel). A common garden weed.
SOLANUM AVICULARE (Poro-poro, or Potato Plant). A shrub, with very dark
green, pointed leaves, purple underneath, and bright purple flowers
resembling those of the potato.
TODEA HYMENOPHYLLOIDES. One of the "crape" ferns, growing in very shady
places in the forest. It has soft, graceful, light green fronds.
URTICA FEROX ("Nettle Tree"). It has prickly, light green leaves, with
very long thick spines; a row of these spines is situated along the
midrib of each leaf. It grows in open situations.
URTICA INCISA (Ground Nettle). A herbaceous plant found in shady places
amongst ferns. The leaves are covered with spines, which give a very
sharp sting when touched.
VERONICA (Koromiko). A genus of shrubs, found commonly on the margins of
forests, and on hill-tops. The leaves are rather long, smooth, and dark
green, and the flowers are mostly purplish-white.