This juice, because of its astringent qualities, was poured over a wound, to arrest bleeding, before it was bandaged with leaves. The young leaves were chewed for toothache and the nectar from the flowers eased sore throats.

A chemical analysis of the bark of pukatea shows it contains the alkaloid pukateine, which has strong analgesic properties similar to those of morphine, but has no after effects (Fogg 1935).

This tree is easily distinguishable from the mamaku black tree fern because the under—surfaces of the fronds are a silvery white, a conspicuous feature.

and later form bunches of bright red berries. The young shoots and buds are edible and were eaten raw by the Maoris. The pith from the head of the palm when the young leaves appear is very nutritious. This was called “millionaire’s salad” by early settlers, because when taken the