punga

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


the trunk of the tree-fern that isknown as Cyathea medullaris, the «black fern» of thesettlers. It has an edible pith.

1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 115:

«Some of the trees were so alarmed that they held downtheir heads, and have never been able to hold them up since;amongst these were the ponga (a fern-tree) and the kareao(supple-jack), whose tender shoots are always bent.»

1888. J. White, `Ancient History of Maori,' vol. iv.p. 191:

«When Tara-ao left his pa and fled from the vengeance ofKarewa, he and his people were hungry and cut down ponga,and cooked and ate them.»

1888. J. Adams, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,'vol. xxi. art. ii. p. 36:

«The size and beauty of the puriri, nikau, and ponga( Cyathea medullaris) are worthy of notice.»

1892. E. S. Brookes, `Frontier Life,' p. 139:

«The Survey Department graded a zigzag track up the side to thetop, fixing in punga steps, so that horses could climb up.»

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