Plaid

Beautiful New Zealand tub plant with useful properties. The sturdy, leathery leaves are dark green and grayish-felted underneath, arranged in a rosette on the branches. The dark red bloom is fantastic in exuberant clusters. After flowering, woody fruits develop, which open in 3 parts after ripening, revealing the sticky seeds. A deep blue dye is made from these seeds. The plant is rich in saponin: this is used medicinally as a diuretic. Saponin also provides excellent protection against insects and fungi. An amusing application is its use as a fish catcher: large quantities of this shrub are thrown into the water by the Maoris, causing fish to become stunned, die (sensitive to saponin), and then be caught.

Names:
Latin: Pittosporum crassifolium
Dutch: Karo
English: Karo, Cheesewood Plant