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The Maoris used to bruise the seeds and then steamed them to release oil. The oil was used for an earache, for eye problems and as a lotion for a wide range of skin ailments including sore breasts, infant rashes, eczema, sores, sprains and wounds, rheumatism, swellings due to bites and stings. It was also highly valued as a general skin softener-conditioner and is used as a carrier for scents obtained from other plants such as tarata (Pittosporum eugenoides). The scarlet flesh surrounding the seeds is very astringent and was used by consumptive invalids.<br /> | The Maoris used to bruise the seeds and then steamed them to release oil. The oil was used for an earache, for eye problems and as a lotion for a wide range of skin ailments including sore breasts, infant rashes, eczema, sores, sprains and wounds, rheumatism, swellings due to bites and stings. It was also highly valued as a general skin softener-conditioner and is used as a carrier for scents obtained from other plants such as tarata (Pittosporum eugenoides). The scarlet flesh surrounding the seeds is very astringent and was used by consumptive invalids.<br /> | ||
The round black seeds are best avoided despite limited information on their toxicity. many plants in the same family are poisonous.<br /> | [[File:Skull and crossbones1.jpg|frameless|upright 2.25]] The round black seeds are best avoided despite limited information on their toxicity. many plants in the same family are poisonous.<br /> | ||
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A very old Alectryon excelsus. Egmont Road, New Plymouth<br /> | A very old Alectryon excelsus. Egmont Road, New Plymouth<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki tree-001.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Looking across the Te Henui stream towards Puketarata Pa at the historic Titoki trees fenced off in the paddock. These trees were very important to the Maori of this Pa.<br /> | Looking across the Te Henui stream towards Puketarata Pa at the historic Titoki trees fenced off in the paddock. These trees were very important to the Maori of this Pa.<br /> | ||
[[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-005.jpg|frameless|upright 2.25]] | |||
A photo of younger tree with unopened capsules (November)<br /> | A photo of younger tree with unopened capsules (November)<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-001.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Unripe capsules<br /> | Unripe capsules<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus cpasules Titoki.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]]<br /> | ||
A close view of the capsules split open to show the bright red aris and the shiny black seeds.<br /> | A close view of the capsules split open to show the bright red aris and the shiny black seeds.<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-001.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]]<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-002.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Topside of the leaves<br /> | Topside of the leaves<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-001.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Underside of leaf<br /> | Underside of leaf<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-003.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Close up of a trunk of a young Alectryon excelsus<br /> | Close up of a trunk of a young Alectryon excelsus<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-003.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
The multi-trunks of some young Alectryon excelsus<br /> | The multi-trunks of some young Alectryon excelsus<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki-002.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
The trunk of an old tree.<br /> | The trunk of an old tree.<br /> | ||
[ | [[File:Alectryon excelsus Titoki tree-010.JPG|frameless|upright 2.25]] | ||
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | ||
Latest revision as of 10:56, 24 September 2019
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
Genus: Alectryon
Species: A. excelsus
Scientific name: Alectryon excelsus
Common name: Titoki, New Zealand Ash, New Zealand Oak
Titoki is an attractive tree (height 4 - 18 metres) found in lowland forests. It is an attractive tree with glossy dark green leaves and a spreading canopy. The Titoki tree seeds are a hairy woody capsule that splits to reveal bright red fruit and black seed. The fruit can take up to a year to mature. These trees are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.
The Maoris used to bruise the seeds and then steamed them to release oil. The oil was used for an earache, for eye problems and as a lotion for a wide range of skin ailments including sore breasts, infant rashes, eczema, sores, sprains and wounds, rheumatism, swellings due to bites and stings. It was also highly valued as a general skin softener-conditioner and is used as a carrier for scents obtained from other plants such as tarata (Pittosporum eugenoides). The scarlet flesh surrounding the seeds is very astringent and was used by consumptive invalids.
The round black seeds are best avoided despite limited information on their toxicity. many plants in the same family are poisonous.
More Information at The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network and The NZ School of Biological Sciences
A very old Alectryon excelsus. Egmont Road, New Plymouth
Looking across the Te Henui stream towards Puketarata Pa at the historic Titoki trees fenced off in the paddock. These trees were very important to the Maori of this Pa.
A photo of younger tree with unopened capsules (November)
Unripe capsules
A close view of the capsules split open to show the bright red aris and the shiny black seeds.
Topside of the leaves
Underside of leaf
Close up of a trunk of a young Alectryon excelsus
The multi-trunks of some young Alectryon excelsus
The trunk of an old tree.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
