Lophomyrtus bullata. Ramarama.
Previous names
Previous names
Myrtus bullata
Māori names
RAMARAMA, lamalama (recorded by Solander in 1769); rōutu (Taylor 1847)
Common names
Food
Berries are eaten (Colenso 1868a, 1868b, 1880; Kirk, in Taylor 1870; Best 1942
It produces an ill-flavoured though edible berry (Taylor 1847)
Fruit and seeds have a pleasant aromatic taste reminiscent of the guava. (Mason 1950).
Fishing and hunting
Poles of ramarama highly prized by canoeists on Whanganui River on account of their toughness ( Best 1925).
Domestic
Among museum artefacts he tested Wallace 1989 found 2 adze helves and an adze socket and 2 teka.
Medicinal
Leaves, in lotion with other plants, for application to bruises. Recipe in O'Carroll 1884.
Ripe berries contain anthocyanins, reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Cambie, Ferguson 2003)
Related pharmacology and chemistry in Brooker, Cambie and Cooper 1987.
See Riley 1994 for information on medicinal uses of related plants elsewhere in the world.
Chemistry
Essential oil and other compounds listed in Cambie 1976, 1988 with references.
Pastime
In Waiararapa used to make humming tops (also mataī) ( Best 1925).
