Common Name: Bushman's Toilet Paper

General Information

Brachyglottis repanda is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow 6 metres or more tall; it has stout, brittle, spreading branches[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[].
The leaves are poisonous to stock and honey made from this plant is also poisonous[].
The gum is also said to be poisonous, and needs to be subject to a purification process before being used292].
The toxin is especially concentrated in the growing tips[].

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand - North and South Islands.

Habitat

Coastal to lowland forest, forest margins and scrub; at elevations up to 600 metres[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Brachyglottis repanda is quite frost-tender and only succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the temperate zone[, ]. It succeeds outdoors in the maritime climate of southwest England (hardiness zones 8 - 9)[].
Requires a good well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[, ] or partial shade[, ].
Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[]. The flowers emit the sweet scent of mignonette, this is most pronounced at eventide[].

Edible Uses

A gum is obtained from the plant and is used for chewing[]. It should not be swallowed[], however, and in light of the warning on toxicity at the top of the page, perhaps it should not even be chewed[].
A resin obtained from the plant is used as a masticatory[].

The leaves are used to wrap food for cooking[].

Medicinal

An aromatic gum obtained from the plant is chewed as a treatment for bad breath and to sweeten the breath[, ].

The leaves are applied to wounds and old, ulcerated sores[]. They do not appear to have any particular effect[]. The leaves are bruised or mashed and mixed with olive oil and used as a poultice on boils[].

Other Uses

The plant has large sage-green leaves with a white, hairy underside[]. Often nearly 30cm long and 30cm wide, they are used as a substitute for toilet paper[].
The leaves are used to line small flax baskets to hold sifted pua (raupō pollen)[].

The leaves can be used for writing on. The back of the leaf, when recently picked or fully dried,, is said to take ink well.

A gum is obtained through incisions in the bark[]. It has been used to prevent metal from rusting[]. It can be put in oil then heated to give off a scent, and is also used for making pomades, etc[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but the seed is probably best sown on the surface of a freely draining compost in the greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed can be surface sown in the greenhouse in early spring. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn in a frame[]. Very easy[].