titoki

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

n.


Maori name for the New Zealand tree, Alectryon excelsum, De C., N.O. Sapindaceae.Also called New Zealand Oak and New Zealand Ash. See Alectryon.

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii.p. 317:

«The berry of the titoki tree might be turned to account. Thenatives extract a very fine oil from it.»

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 253:

The youth, with hands beneath his head,

Against a great titoki's base.»

1877. Anon., `Colonial Experiences or Incidents ofThirty-four Years in New Zealand,' p: 16:

«For this purpose, titoki was deemed the most suitable timber,from its hardness and crooked growth resembling English oak.»

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 131:

«Titoki, a beautiful tree with large panicles of reddishflowers . . . Wood has similar properties to ash. Itstoughness makes it valuable for wheels, coachbuilding, etc.»

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 183:

«It is sometimes termed `the New Zealand ash,' doubtless onaccount of its resembling that tree in the shape of its foliageand in the toughness of its wood, but it is most generallyknown as the `titoki.'»

1896. `Otago Witness,' June 23, p. 42, col. 2:

«The saddling-paddock and the scales are surrounded by a fencemade of stout titoki saplings, on which are perched theknowing.»