Story: Shrubs and small trees of the forest

Rangiora leaves (1st of 2)

Rangiora leaves

Rangiora has the largest leaves of any of the tree daisies, up to 25 centimetres long and 20 centimetres wide. The underside of the soft leaf is clad in smooth white hairs. The leaves were used for poultices by the Māori and as a toilet paper substitute by early settlers – hence its alternative name of bushman’s friend. The plant is common in coastal and lowland forest and regenerating scrub in the North Island and northern South Island.

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Photograph by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page:

Joanna Orwin, 'Shrubs and small trees of the forest - Tree daisies: olearia and brachyglottis', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13866/rangiora-leaves (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Joanna Orwin, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 1 Jul 2015