mākaka
1. (noun) saltmarsh ribbonwood, Plagianthus divaricatus - a native shrub with few, small, narrow leaves in tufts or alternating. petals white tinged pink, fruits fawn in colour splitting to release the single seed. A dense bush with tough, wiry, dark and intertwining stems. Found at the heads of estuaries throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Synonyms: runa
2. (noun) bushman's mattress, Lygodium articulatum - loosely climbing native fern with long, wiry, twisting stalks reaching into the tops of trees. Side stalks fork 2-3 times, ending in long, strap-like leaflets. Common in lowland forest of the northern half of the North Island.
See also mangemange
Synonyms: mangemange, mounga, makamaka
3. (noun) native broom, Carmichaelia australis - a native shrub found in the northern half of the North Island. It has leaves 5-6 mm long, usually 5-7 in a group, but is often leafless. Branchlets are green and strap-like and the tiny flowers are white with purple veins. Seeds are orange-red, hanging in the frame-like remains of pods.
See also tainoka
Synonyms: tarangahape, maukoro, taunoka, tainoka
4. (noun) native brooms of various species, Carmichaelia spp.
Synonyms: tarangahape
