Toetoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toetoe |
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| Austroderia toetoe | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Danthonioideae |
| Tribe: | Danthonieae |
| Genus: | Austroderia N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder |
| Type species | |
| Austroderia richardii (Endl.) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
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| Synonyms | |
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Austroderia is a group of five types of tall grasses. They grow naturally in New Zealand. People usually call them toetoe.
The five types are A. toetoe, A. fulvida, A. splendens, A. richardii, and A. turbaria. Scientists changed their name in 2011. Before that, they were in a group called Cortaderia. The name toetoe comes from the Māori language.
Toetoe vs. Pampas Grass
Two grasses from South America look a lot like toetoe. They are Cortaderia jubata and C. selloana, also known as Pampas Grass. These grasses were brought to New Zealand. People often mix them up with native toetoe.
Pampas Grass can take over areas where toetoe grows. Because of this, they are seen as invasive weeds. It means they grow too much and harm the local plants.
You can tell the difference between toetoe and Pampas Grass. Toetoe has flower heads that droop downwards. Its feathery plumes are a creamy color. If you pull a toetoe leaf firmly, it won't break. Toetoe also has a white, waxy coating on its leaf-sheath. It has clear veins between the middle and edge of its leaves.
How Māori Used Toetoe
The Māori used toetoe for many things. They used the strong leaves to make baskets and kites. They also made mats, wall linings, and roof coverings for their homes. Toetoe fibers are water-resistant. This made them good for making containers to cook food in hot springs.
The flower stalks were also very useful. They were used as frames for kites. They also helped create special tukutuku wall panels. The seed heads themselves were put on fresh wounds. This helped to stop bleeding. Toetoe was also used as medicine for problems like diarrhea, kidney issues, and burns.
Toetoe is the biggest native grass in New Zealand. It grows in large clumps. These clumps can reach up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall.
Other Names for Toetoe
The Māori people have different names for various types of toetoe. These include toetoe-kākaho, toetoe-mokoro, and toetoe-rākau. The flower stem itself is called kākaho.
Some people, especially children, call toetoe 'cutty grass'. This is because the edges of the leaves are serrated, like a saw. They can easily cut your skin if you're not careful! In New Zealand, 'cutty grass' can also mean other plants. These include Gahnia setifola (mapere), Cyperus ustulatus (upoko tangata), and Carex geminata.
Types of Toetoe
Here are the five main types of toetoe:
- Austroderia fulvida (Found on North and South Islands)
- Austroderia richardii (Found on North and South Islands; also grows in Tasmania)
- Austroderia splendens (Grows along the coasts of the North Island)
- Austroderia toetoe (Found on the North Island)
- Austroderia turbaria (Grows on the Chatham Islands)
