Pate - Schefflera digitata
Trees of Karori Sanctuary.
A common tree throughout the Sanctuary, Pate is often mistaken for whauwhaupaku (Five-Finger) but count the leaves - Pate has anything from three to nine. It has spectacular late summer flowers (its many branched panciles often 20-35cm across) which develop clusters of violet to black fruits when ripe. These are an important food source for many of the Sanctuary's birds.
The soft wood was used by Maori as a fire starter by rubbing the soft pate with wood from a harder species. The sap is anti-fungal and has been used to treat ringworm.
Pate - Schefflera digitata
Trees of Karori Sanctuary.
A common tree throughout the Sanctuary, Pate is often mistaken for whauwhaupaku (Five-Finger) but count the leaves - Pate has anything from three to nine. It has spectacular late summer flowers (its many branched panciles often 20-35cm across) which develop clusters of violet to black fruits when ripe. These are an important food source for many of the Sanctuary's birds.
The soft wood was used by Maori as a fire starter by rubbing the soft pate with wood from a harder species. The sap is anti-fungal and has been used to treat ringworm.