Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Myrtus pedunculata

RŌHUTU, rōutu 

Berries eaten (Colenso 1868a, 1868b; Kirk, in Taylor 1870; Best 1942; Makereti 1938)

"...the orange-coloured berries, though small, ... the natives obtained by spreading their larger garments, or floor-mats, on the ground, and shaking the trees, when the fruit fell in showers; the berry is about the size of a red currant, seeds large and very hard." (Colenso 1880)

Another decoction used as a medicine in cases of difficult menstruation is made in a similar manner from the bark and berries of the rōhutu tree (Best 1905)

Ripe berries contain anthocyanins, reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Cambie, Ferguson 2003)

The essential oils of Lophomyrtus obcordata and Neomyrtus pedunculata have been examined by Briggs et al 1975. Bark and fruit compounds by Lowry 1968, 1976.