Maori name for New Zealand tree, Weinmannia racemosa, Forst., N.O. Saxifrageae,i.q. Kamahai in south of South Island, and Tawhero in North Island (Wellington).
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii.p. 95:
«Its banks . . . are covered almost wholly with the towai.This tree has very small dark leaves.It is used for ship-building, and is called by Englishmen the `black birch.'»
1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 43:
«The ake . . . and towai ( Leiospermum racemosum)are almost equal, in point of colour, to rosewood.»
1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand,' p. 132:
«Towhai, Kamahi. A large tree; trunk two to four feet indiameter, and fifty feet high. Wood close-grained and heavy,but rather brittle. . . . The bark is largely used fortanning. The extract of bark is chemically allied to the gumkino of commerce, their value being about equal.»