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Microtis unifolia. Māikaika.

Name document
Food

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Microtis banksii (in Taylor 1855),  Microtis porrifolia

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"Small orchidaceous plant(s) found amongst fern and low tea tree. The tubers contain salep, and are eaten by the natives" (Kirk, in Taylor 1870). ("Salep" in Webster's Dictionary, is the name for the ground-up tubers of orchids).

Use as food also recorded in Colenso 1868a ; Taylor 1855).

Diminutive tuber eaten by children. Sometimes roasted. Sought during times of stress. (Best 1902, 1907, 1942)

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cc559cb8-13d6-42b1-96a8-ebe67acf99c9
name
28 May 2007
1 July 2020
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