Page:Native Flowers of New Zealand.djvu/225



remarkable genus of chiefly Tropical Asiatic, Malayan, and Polynesian climbing plants, with long, rather grassy leaves. F. Banksii climbs the loftiest trees, rooting as it ascends, and branching copiously. Hook. fil. The inner leaves and spike are of a thick, white, juicy substance, which is said to make a good preserve; the young Colonists are fond of eating it, a taste shared by the rats, so much so, that it is difficult to obtain a perfect specimen. The leaves are used for basket making. Hab. Northern and Middle Islands. It flowers in November.

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