Today I give you Wineberry (latin name: Aristotellia serrata). Wineberry is otherwise known as Makomako. It is a small-medium sized tree and is best identified by it’s tear drop shaped green leaves with serrated edges and red veins.
Wineberry has small pink flowers that form in clusters, and the fruit range in colour from green to red to black as they ripen. Wood Pigeons are attracted to Wineberry when it is fruiting, and the tree itself is fairly low maintenance and easy to grow. It prefers partial shade and doesn't mind close proximity to other plants as long as it doesn't get smothered. Be aware the berries are poisonous to humans, so not a good plant around unsupervised small children.
Wineberry was used by early Māori to treat many ailments. A strong, cooled tea made from the leaves was used to cure boils and burns. Whether this tea was taken orally or used to clean the wounds I do not know. Boiled water infused with bark extracts was cooled and used to cure sore eyes. A bath infused with the bark was also used to cure rheumatism.
Again I must reiterate, this information does not take the place of advice from a doctor.
Photo credits (in order) bushmansfriend.com, visitzelandia.com, visitzelandia.com,
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