Pittosporum tenuifolium. Kōhūhū.
Māori names
Māori names
KŌHŪHŪ, kohukohu, koihu, kaikaro, pōwhiri, pōhiri, tāwhiri, tawiri (Taylor 1870), tawhiwhi, rautāwhiri, kōwhiwhi (all in Best, Williams 1971); māpauriki (Beever 1991),
Gum used as scent: tāwhiri
raki a small tree bearing a black flower (Taylor 1870). [Possibly this tree? Ed.]
Common names
black matipo, turpentine-tree, black birch (latter two names both in Conservator of State Forests 1877), silverleaf (Best 1907)
"In many parts of the colony, the small-leaved tarata (Pittosporum tenuifolium) is called black birch" (Conservator of State Forests 1877)
Scent
Fragrant gum used to perfume tītoki and kōhia oils obtained by bruising bark of tree (Colenso 1868a, 1891b ; Best 1942)
Medicinal
Fresh gum resin mixed with thickened juice of pūhā chewed as a masticatory (Colenso 1868a ; Bretts Guide 1883 ; Best 1942).
Chemistry
Essential oil contains alpha-pinene and other components described by Calder and Carter (1949).
Traditions
Green branchlet used in baptism ceremony (Best 1929).
