Elaeocarpus hookerianus < Species index > Freycinetia banksii
This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, # 6, July 2022
July in the hills with Michele Dickson, Chris Horne
Entelea arborescens, Whau, New Zealand cork tree, New Zealand balsa wood
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe
Origin of the botanical names
'Entelea' is derived from the Greek word ‘enteles’ meaning ‘perfect’, referring to the stamens being all fertile; ‘arborescens’ means becoming tree-like. It is a member of the Malvaceae or mallow family.
Distribution and habitat
Whau is endemic to Aotearoa. It is found on Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands, Te Ika a Māui / North Island and on Te Waipounamu / South Island. It is more common in the north as far south as Kawhia and Mahia Peninsula, being found in only more localised sites in the southern North Island and Golden Bay area of the South Island. However, it has become established and naturalised in many places, being both deliberately planted and easily grown from seeds, whilst animal browsing has contributed to a decline in other places. It grows naturally in coastal to lowland forest, often in open sites.
Growth habit
Whau is a shrub or small tree up to 15 m tall with a trunk up to 0.25 m diameter and numerous spreading branches. Trees are fast-growing and short-lived. The bark is grey and wood-weight lighter than cork. The branchlets, leaves and stalks of leaves and flowers are densely clad in soft hairs. The heart-shaped, sometimes mildly lobed, membranous leaves are alternate, bright green, almost glossy and have a distinct palmate venation. Their stalks / petioles are stout, up to 300 mm long. The leaf blade is 50 – 300 mm x 50 – 250 mm with a doubly crenate-serrate edge.
Reproduction
Whau flowers from September to November and fruits from December to March. Bunches of flowers arise from stalks up to 300 mm long. Each flower has five crumpled, white petals, with numerous, yellow anthers in the middle. The fruits are dry, round, spiny, dark-brown capsules 20 – 30 mm diameter. They are long-lasting, sometimes being blown by wind or washed up by water, eventually splitting open to release numerous brown seeds 1.9 – 2.9 mm long. These can remain viable for many years.
Uses
The buoyant wood was used by Māori as net floats, buoys, fishing rafts and boat fenders. Long fibres from the trunk were used for fishing lines. Pieces of wood were used for stick games, darts or poi. The bark and wood have been used for dyes.
Where can you find whau?
Look for whau along the northern part of the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, other patches of bush on the Kāpiti Coast and on the Aorangi Range.
In The Hills 2022-06 < Index chronological > In The Hills 2022-08