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.»