Notelaea Neolanceolata
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''Notelaea neolanceolata'', commonly called white maire, is a tree native to New Zealand. ''Notelaea neolanceolata'' is found from lowland to hilly forest across the
North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...
. In the
South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
it is uncommon but is found in the
Marlborough Sounds The Marlborough Sounds (Māori language, te reo Māori: ''Te Tauihu-o-te-Waka'') are an extensive network of ria, sea-drowned valleys at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand. The Marlborough Sounds were created by a combination ...
. It grows to approximately 15 metres high and has long (5–12 cm), leathery and glossy leaves.
Racemes A raceme () or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the shoo ...
of green flowers are produced in spring followed by a 1 cm long red fruit.


Uses

The wood of ''N. neolanceolata'' is one of the hardest native timbers of New Zealand. It was traditionally used by the
Māori Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...
to make tools and weapons. A variety of digging sticks were made from the timber for food gathering and gardening. The wood was also used for beams in the construction of storage houses.


References

{{Taxonbar, from= Q133500215, from2=Q16756185 neolanceolata Endemic flora of New Zealand Trees of New Zealand Plants described in 1853 Taxa named by Joseph Dalton Hooker