BushcraftNZ
Admin
Traditional Plant Use By Maori
Recently I stumbled across this little gem, which is a great resource for NZ bushcraft. A section of the website Eske-Style (yes that's its name) is entirely devoted to traditional plant use by Maori. Just like anything, it may not be wise to base everything on one source so make sure to research from multiple reputable sources, especially with wild edibles. Not knowing what you are doing can result in nasty consequences so do be careful!
For generations Maori have using the plants around them for food, tools, crafts, and medicinal purposes. Definitely check out the full page, I have chosen a selection below that are useful from a bushcraft point of view. I have also included links to other sites for more information and pictures for identification.
Aruhe: Used for food
The roots of this common fern were dug in winter and roasted. When required for food they were pounded to release the starchy material. Young shoots were eaten fresh.
Pteridium esculentum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracken
Kotukutuku: Used for food
The largest fuchsia species in the world forms a small tree with flaking bark. When ripe the sweet black berry, konini was eagerly sought for food.
Fuchsia excorticata
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Fuchsia+excorticata
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_excorticata
Makomako aka Wineberry: Used for food
A small tree bearing reddish, almost transparent leaves. The current sized berries were sought for food.
Aristotelia serrata
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/.../elaeocarpaceae-wineberry-family.cfm
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aristotelia+serrata
Powiwi: Used for Food
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Calystegia+soldanella
Rengarenga: Used for food
Fleshy roots of this lily-like coastal plant were formerly cooked and eaten.
Arthropodium cirrhatum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropodium_cirratum
http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/arthropodium.htm
Raupo: Used for building and food
When cut, separated, dried and bundled the leaves of this marsh plant made a valuable building material. Pollen from the flowers was gathered and formed into small cakes before being cooked on a heated stone.
Typha orientalis
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Typha+orientalis
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Typha~orientalis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typha
Rata: Used for cordage
Tough, supple stems of this vine were much valued as a tying material, for making eel and crayfish traps as well as pirori and morere (hoops and swings) for children.
Metrosideros fulgens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrosideros_fulgens
Tauhinau: Used for fishing
Hard dry twigs from this bushy shrub were formed into fishhooks.
Pomaderris phylicaefoli
http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Flora/PomaderrisPhylicifolia.htm
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/...Pomaderris~phylicifolia+subsp.~ericoides
Nikau: Used for food, roofing and canoe paddles
With a name meaning "no coconut" this palm is widespread in coastal areas. Young shoots are edible. The leaves were valued for roofing. Leaf stalks doubled as makeshift paddles for a canoe.
Rhopalostylis sapida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikau
Akeake: Used for tools and weapons
This small tree has hard black wood with creamy-white stripes. The slender trunk was favoured material for weapons and tool handles.
Dodonea viscosa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodonaea_viscosa
Harakeke: Used for beliefs, clothing, fishing, medicine and boats
The dark green leaves of flax contain one of the strongest natural fibres known. The leaves were plaited for baskets, clothes and fishing nets. The tohunga (keeper of knowledge) used the leaves for healing rites, by
applying the root juice to skin problems, like boils. A bundle of dried flower stems made rafts.
Phormium tenax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium
Ti Kouka (aka Cabbage Tree): Used for clothes, food, and weaving
Both the cooked roots and base of young shoots were eaten. The leaves were used for making garments, baskets, mats and twine.
Cordyline australis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyline_australis
Kareao (aka Supplejack): Used for cordage and medicine
The long supple stems of this tall vine formed ladders to climb cliffs, trees and enemy palisades. Also used for
lobster pots and baskets. Together with rata, it was the most valuable tying material for fences, houses and canoes. Burning stems cauterised wounds.
Ripogonum scandens
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/.../ripogonaceae-ripogonum-family.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhipogonaceae
Kaikomako: Used for starting fires
A sharp pointed stick was rubbed vigorously along a groove in a dry piece of pata or ma hoe to make fire.
Pennantia corymbosa
http://www.forestflora.co.nz/Plant%20profiles/Pennantia%20corymbosa.htm
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/..../pennantiaceae-kaikomako-family.cfm
Pate or Patate (aka Seven Finger): Used for fire making and medicine
Sap from the leaves of this small forest tree was used against ringworm (fungus) affecting the skin. A groove in a dry log was rubbed vigorously with a kaikomako stick to make fire.
Schefflera digitat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schefflera_digitata
Kanuka and Manuka: Used for building, weapons and medicine
For generations Maori have using the plants around them for food, tools, crafts, and medicinal purposes. Definitely check out the full page, I have chosen a selection below that are useful from a bushcraft point of view. I have also included links to other sites for more information and pictures for identification.
Aruhe: Used for food
The roots of this common fern were dug in winter and roasted. When required for food they were pounded to release the starchy material. Young shoots were eaten fresh.
Pteridium esculentum Kotukutuku: Used for food
The largest fuchsia species in the world forms a small tree with flaking bark. When ripe the sweet black berry, konini was eagerly sought for food.
Fuchsia excorticata
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Fuchsia+excorticata
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_excorticata
Makomako aka Wineberry: Used for food
A small tree bearing reddish, almost transparent leaves. The current sized berries were sought for food.
Aristotelia serrata
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/.../elaeocarpaceae-wineberry-family.cfm
Powiwi: Used for Food
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Calystegia+soldanella
Rengarenga: Used for food
Fleshy roots of this lily-like coastal plant were formerly cooked and eaten.
Arthropodium cirrhatum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropodium_cirratum
http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/arthropodium.htm
Raupo: Used for building and food
When cut, separated, dried and bundled the leaves of this marsh plant made a valuable building material. Pollen from the flowers was gathered and formed into small cakes before being cooked on a heated stone.
Typha orientalis
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Typha~orientalis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typha
Rata: Used for cordage
Tough, supple stems of this vine were much valued as a tying material, for making eel and crayfish traps as well as pirori and morere (hoops and swings) for children.
Metrosideros fulgens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrosideros_fulgens
Hard dry twigs from this bushy shrub were formed into fishhooks.
Pomaderris phylicaefoli
http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Flora/PomaderrisPhylicifolia.htm
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/...Pomaderris~phylicifolia+subsp.~ericoides
Nikau: Used for food, roofing and canoe paddles
With a name meaning "no coconut" this palm is widespread in coastal areas. Young shoots are edible. The leaves were valued for roofing. Leaf stalks doubled as makeshift paddles for a canoe.
Rhopalostylis sapida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikau
Akeake: Used for tools and weapons
This small tree has hard black wood with creamy-white stripes. The slender trunk was favoured material for weapons and tool handles.
Dodonea viscosa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodonaea_viscosa
Harakeke: Used for beliefs, clothing, fishing, medicine and boats
The dark green leaves of flax contain one of the strongest natural fibres known. The leaves were plaited for baskets, clothes and fishing nets. The tohunga (keeper of knowledge) used the leaves for healing rites, by
applying the root juice to skin problems, like boils. A bundle of dried flower stems made rafts.
Phormium tenax
Ti Kouka (aka Cabbage Tree): Used for clothes, food, and weaving
Both the cooked roots and base of young shoots were eaten. The leaves were used for making garments, baskets, mats and twine.
Cordyline australis
Kareao (aka Supplejack): Used for cordage and medicine
The long supple stems of this tall vine formed ladders to climb cliffs, trees and enemy palisades. Also used for
lobster pots and baskets. Together with rata, it was the most valuable tying material for fences, houses and canoes. Burning stems cauterised wounds.
Ripogonum scandens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhipogonaceae
Kaikomako: Used for starting fires
A sharp pointed stick was rubbed vigorously along a groove in a dry piece of pata or ma hoe to make fire.
Pennantia corymbosa
http://www.forestflora.co.nz/Plant%20profiles/Pennantia%20corymbosa.htm
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/..../pennantiaceae-kaikomako-family.cfm
Pate or Patate (aka Seven Finger): Used for fire making and medicine
Sap from the leaves of this small forest tree was used against ringworm (fungus) affecting the skin. A groove in a dry log was rubbed vigorously with a kaikomako stick to make fire.
Schefflera digitat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schefflera_digitata
Kanuka and Manuka: Used for building, weapons and medicine
Small aromatic "tea trees", which frequently form dense shrub. Weapons and tools were fashioned from
heavy straight stems. The trunks as well as the brushwood were used as building materials. The antibacterial properties of these plants (leaves and inner bark) are well documented and I have used these in the bush they do work.
Kunzia ericoides, Leptospermum scoparium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunzea_ericoides
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospermum_scoparium
http://www.manuka.netfirms.com/manuka.htm
heavy straight stems. The trunks as well as the brushwood were used as building materials. The antibacterial properties of these plants (leaves and inner bark) are well documented and I have used these in the bush they do work.
Kunzia ericoides, Leptospermum scoparium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunzea_ericoides
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospermum_scoparium
http://www.manuka.netfirms.com/manuka.htm
Whau: Used for fishing
Extremely lightweight wood. It was shaped into marker buoys and floats
for fishing lines.
Entelea arborescens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entelea
http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Entelea/Entelea.html
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Entelea+arborescens
Extremely lightweight wood. It was shaped into marker buoys and floats
for fishing lines.
Entelea arborescens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entelea
http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Entelea/Entelea.html
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Entelea+arborescens
Admin
Ryan Johnson-Hunt
I have found more resources online myself, but if anyone has found a good book or two I would be glad to hear about it
Oct 13, 2010
Newbie
grilla haskell
Oct 13, 2010
Newbie
grilla haskell
Oct 13, 2010