Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

kākāriki

Williams 1971 says `a shrub". Bretts Guide 1883, and White, quoted in Aston 1918b, from his manuscript in Dominion Museum, say "a small creeping plant, rough to the touch, and having a delicate scent."

Bruised into pulp and mixed with tānekaha bark to make a yellow dye. Also rubbed on hands of tutu juice-makers, to produce a blood-red colour, used by young warriors for a similar purpose (Brett"s Guide 1883).

Aston 1918b (quoting White) says the bruised pulp is rubbed on the hands with tutu-juice to give the hands a blood-red appearance; and in war, young untattooed men mark their faces in the same way, to give them a brave and wild look.