Hoheria glabrata
StarHoheria glabrata
Synonyms: Hoheria lyallii var. glabrata
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Māori valued the lacebarks (houhere), including mountain ribbonwood, for the soft mucilaginous inner bark. An infusion or soaking of the inner bark yielded a soothing demulcent liquid that was used as a remedy for sore or inflamed eyes and applied to burns and other skin complaints (Riley, 1994; Brooker, Cambie & Cooper, 1987). The tough, lace-like fibrous bark was also used for cordage and ornament.
Botanical Description
Hoheria glabrata, the mountain ribbonwood or houhere, is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the family Malvaceae, endemic to New Zealand, where it grows in montane forest, forest margins and stream banks of the South Island and Stewart Island. It reaches around 6 to 10 metres in height, with spreading branches and smooth bark over a fibrous, ribbon-like inner bast. The leaves are broadly ovate to heart-shaped, thin, soft and pale green, with conspicuously toothed margins, and are shed in autumn. In summer the tree is covered in masses of fragrant, white, five-petalled flowers up to about 2.5 centimetres across, borne in clusters and rich in nectar that attracts insects. The fruit is a winged, dry schizocarp that splits into several segments. Mountain ribbonwood is a graceful flowering tree of cooler, wetter mountain habitats and is the more cold-tolerant of New Zealand's lacebarks, sometimes cultivated as an ornamental.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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