cedar

n.

The true Cedar is a Conifer( N.O. Coniferae) of the genus Cedrus, but thename is given locally to many other trees resembling it inappearance, or in the colour or scent of their wood. The NewZealand Cedar is the nearest approach to the true Cedar, and none of the so-called Australian Cedars are of the order Coniferae. The followingare the trees to which the name is applied in Australia: – – Bastard Pencil Cedar – – Dysoxylon rfum, Benth., N.O. Meliaceae.

♣ Brown C. – – Ehretia acuminata, R. Br., N.O. Asperifoliae.

♣ Ordinary or Red C. – – Cedrela australis, F. v. M. Cedrela toona, R. Br., N.O. Meliaceae.[ C. toona is the «Toon» tree of India: its timber isknown in the English market as Moulmein Cedar; but the Baronvon Mueller doubts the identity of the Australian Cedar withthe «Toon» tree; hence his name australis.]

♣ Pencil C. – – Dysoxylon Fraserianum, Benth., N.O. Meliaceae.

♣ Scrub White C. – – Pentaceras australis, Hook. and Don., N.O. Rutacea.

♣ White C. – – Melia composita, Willd., N.O. Meliaceae.

♣ Yellow C. – – Rhus rhodanthema, F. v. M., N.O. Anacardiacae.

In Tasmania, three species of the genus Arthrotaxis are called Cedars or Pencil Cedars; namely, A. cupressoides, Don., known as the King William Pine; A. laxifolza, Hook., the Mountain Pine; and A. selaginoides, Don., the Red Pine. All these are peculiar to the island.

In New Zealand, the name of Cedar is applied to Libocedrusbidwillii, Hook., N.O. Coniferae; Maori name, Pahautea.

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, vol. i. p. 328:

«The cedar of the colony ( Cedrela toona, R. Br.), whichis to be found only in some rocky gullies of the coast range.»

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland Flora,' p. 63:

«Besides being valuable as a timber-producing tree, this redcedar has many medicinal properties. The bark is spoken of asa powerful astringent, and, though not bitter, said to be agood substitute for Peruvian bark in the cure of remitting andintermitting fevers.»

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand,' p. 123:

«Pahautea, Cedar. A handsome conical tree sixty to eighty feethigh, two to three feet in diameter. In Otago it produces adark-red, freeworking timber, rather brittle . . . frequentlymistaken for totara.»