Maori name for the New Zealandtree, Vitex littoralis, A. Cunn., N.O. Verbenaceae; called also New Zealand Oak, New Zealand Teak, and Ironwood. It is very hard.
1842. W. R. Wade, `Journey in New Zealand' (Hobart Town),p. 200:
«Puriri, misnamed Vitex littoralis, as it is not foundnear the sea-coast.»
1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 311:
«The Puriri Tree ( Vitex littoralis). The stems. . . vary from straight to every imaginable form of curvedgrowth. . . The fruit, which is like a cherry, is a favouritefood of the woodpigeon.»
1882. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open,' p. 86:
«A deep ravine, over which grey-stemmed purtris stretched outafar their gnarled trunks, laden with deep green foliage,speckled with the warm gleam of ruddy blossoms.»
1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 102:
«The darker, crimped and varnished leaf of the puriri,with its bright cherry-like berry.»
1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 209:
«The Puriri . . . on account of the strength of its timberit is sometimes termed by the settlers `New Zealand Oak,' butit would be far more correct to name it `New Zealand Teak.'»