Toitois

I have always known these plants that grow wild along the roadsides as Toitoi (pronounced toy toy), which is a native of New Zealand, often confused with Pampas which was introduced from Brazil and is sometimes considered a pest and a weed.

As kids we also called the Toitoi cutty grass because the edges of the long thin leaves can be quite sharp.

I believe the proper spelling is actually Toetoe.

Maori traditionally used the toitoi for a variety of purposes. Toitoi leaves were used to line walls and in roof thatching and also to create baskets, mats and containers to cook food in hot springs. The flower stalks were used for kite frames and in tukutuku paneling.

The feathery flower heads were used to filter the seeds from the juice of tutu berries as they are extremely poisonous. The berries were crushed and then strained through the flower heads to yield the sweet juice.

Toetoe also had a variety of traditional medicinal uses.

I just love the beautiful, feathery look of the seed heads you see here.