Geum urbanum. Kōpata.
Māori names
Common names
Domestic
After Europeans introduced smoking, Māori would smoke a weed called kōpata. They would make a bowl for a pipe out of wood and insert as a stem a reed of pukakaho. (Maori informant in Beattie 1920). See also Pelargonium inodorum.
Scent
Geum urbanum and Potentilla anserina, plants used for scenting oil. (Williams 1971)
Medicinal
Leaf is astringent, used for diarrhoea and dysentery. Taken for foul breath (Goldie 1905).
Related pharmacology in Brooker, Cambie and Cooper 1987.
A widespread species, used as herbal medicine in other parts of the world. See Riley 1994.
Chemistry
Notes on chemistry in Brooker, Cambie and Cooper 1987. Plant rich in tannins. Essential oil contains eugenol, a dental analgesic.