Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Lophocolea novae-zeelandiae

piripiri

Found on earth or on old logs, forming pale-coloured patches up to 10 cm in diameter ( Allison & Child 1975)

Some of the very small Hepaticae (Lophocolea and Chiloscyphus species) used for perfume by the Maoris, who called them piripiri. "Their scent was pleasant, powerful, and lasting. Hooker, in describing those plants, has mentioned it from dried and old specimens. Of one species ... of another L. novae-zealandiae, 'often fragrant' "( Colenso 1891: 458).