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The Parapara.
Pisonia umbellifera, Seeman.
(Ceodes umbellifera, Forst.)
(P. sinclairii, Hook. f.)
This plant is found in several localities north of Whangarei, both on the east and west coasts; also on the Taranga Islands, Arid Island, Little Barrier Island, and on the East Cape: in the last-named locality, possibly planted by the Maoris.
It attains its greatest luxuriance on the west coast, north of Hokianga, where it forms a tree; in other localities it forms a shrub, rarely more than 10 feet high,—usually from 4–7 feet. When growing entirely in the
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shade, the leaves are often from 14–16 inches long, of a deep glossy green; but in situations of this kind it rarely developes flowers. In exposed situations the leaves are much torn by the wind.
The fruiting pericarp is remarkable for its viscidity, which is usually retained for a considerable period after the fruit is fully matured. This renders it difficult to press fruiting specimens for the herbarium, as they adhere to the drying papers with remarkable tenacity. It can be readily imagined that small birds tempted to feed on the seeds might easily become glued to a cluster of fruits.