Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

āwhato, āwheto, hāwato, horuhoru, mokoroa, nutara  (grub of the vegetable caterpillar in its living state). All names recorded in Williams 1971. 

vegetable caterpillar fungus

Found chiefly at the root of the rātā Metrosideros robusta (Taylor 1855)

Eaten. When fresh, they have the flavour of a nut (Taylor 1855)

Black pigment for tattooing obtained from ashes of āwhato. Ashes sometimes mixed with black juice of māhoe berries (Colenso 1868a).

Described in detail by Taylor 1855. Used when burnt for colouring matter for tattoos. ..."rubbing the powder into their wounds, in which state it has a strong animal smell"