Plant Heritage New Zealand: Te Whakapapa O Nga Rakau: Interpreting the Special Features of Native Plants

Description

Plant Heritage New Zealand looks at the unique characteristics of New Zealand's plants; what makes them so special. It delves into the origins and evolution of the plants, how they have inspired poems and works of art, the Maori myths, stories and proverbs associated with them, and their many uses as natural resources. Many of the sayings (whakatauki/pepeha) use the plants as metaphors for the human condition. Part 1 introduces the nature of New Zealand's extraordinary plants. It explains speciation, taxonomy, growth and dispersal patterns, and what makes a plant a New Zealand one. It also explains how plants have grown and adapted in New Zealand's distinctive climate. Part 2 presents a selection of trees, shrubs and flowers, their classification, names, botanical description, traditional and modern uses, and cultural heritage and significance to Maori.