NOTE - THIS PROTO-PAGE IS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION!

These words are derived from from the Proro-Polynesian word root *fara (itself a reflex of Proto-Austronesian *Pandan), by doubling the root (to indicate that something is like, reminiscent of, or a special form of what the source word refers to), and also by adding an additional element to further differentiate species.

Wharawhara and Relations
Location in the Language Garden
The wharawhara in Traditional Maori Poetry and Proverbs

Wharawhara

The name "wharawhara" with its derivatives denotes five species of mostly epiphytic plants, all with sheathing leaf bases and sword-shaped leaves. They were formerly classified botanically as belonging to the lily family (Liliaceae), but have recently been re-classified, by at least some authorities, into a new plant family (Asteliaceae). Collectively, they, along with other botanically related and not-so-closely related species, are termed whara (see the link in the panel below the photographs) .

The root word wharawhara refers most commonly to the saxicolous (rock-dwelling) Astelia banksii, which grows natively near the sea in the northern part of the North Island. The photograph is of what is currently a small plant in our garden; when mature the leaves will be over a metre long. Both surfaces of the leaves are covered with scales which glisten in strong light (as in the photograph). According to the Pollex word list, this name is also used for the kahakaha, Collospermum hastatum, although the source is not referenced and I have no independent confirmation of this, but the verse from Nga Moteatea quoted in the poetry section of this page (below) fits best with this plant, weeping from its perch.

Astelia banksii is also called püwharawhara (clumping wharawhara), and this name was also noted as applying to Collospermum hastatum in a list of Maori plant names compiled by Euan Nicol of Landcare Research based at Lincoln University. These latter plants are members of a genus closely related to Astelia, and form huge clumps high in the branches of forest trees. The leaves can reach well over a metre in length, and are open at the bases so that, as with many bromeliads, water and leaf mould can collect there to sustain the plant. The clumps of mature plants often get so heavy that they fall off the trees and continue growing happily on the ground. They are easily distinguished from Astelias (which otherwise they closely resemble) by their open leaf bases, wider leaves, and the dark colouring.

The other name in this series, köwharawhara, again applies to Astelia banksii (which could almost certainly have been the first Astelia encountered by the arriving Polynesians), and also denotes Astelia solandri. The latter is a strong-growing forest epiphyte which also grows on the forest floor, and has leaves between one and two-metres long.

MORE TO COME!

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Location in the Language Garden
The Wharawhara in Traditional Maori Poetry and Proverbs

 

Location in the Language Garden

[We have had to rescue these plants from stock which still manage to invade the garden from neighbouring farms, and seem to find Astelias highly palatable, so the wharawhara group are here, but most are refugees without permanent homes as of now (May 2009). Astelia solandri (pictured) is in Area CE-53]

 

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Wharawhara and Relations
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The Wharawhara in Traditional Maori Poetry and Proverbs