I'm pretty sure it's real as it's reported by reliable sources. The original information dates back to 1869, when an elephant skeleton was donated to the Otago Museum. The information that the elephant had died from eating tutu came from Julius von Haast, and the story outlined is credible. Henry Connor included it in his book on poisonous plants and also quotes another article where two elephants ate tutu but did survive, if only just.
Super interesting! I think this is the plant which gave the name to Poison Creek which I live near in Central Otago. It killed a lot of sheep back in the days when the whole of the Pisa range was one big holding. There is also a Dead Horse creek near Luggate which could also be connected.
Thank you. Yes, that certainly makes sense. I came across the Pisa Range mentioned as being particularly bad. There were huge numbers of sheep and cattle killed, it was a real menace. I'm not so sure about the horses as there were very few horse fatalities from it - apparently they didn't like to eat it which I suppose was a small blessing.
That was super interesting, thank you. I lived on a farm years ago and I am familiar with tutu. Down on the farm they referred to it as "toot", which makes it sound misleadingly benign.
Quite fascinating - thank you
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I had heard that the dead elephant story is a myth.
I'm pretty sure it's real as it's reported by reliable sources. The original information dates back to 1869, when an elephant skeleton was donated to the Otago Museum. The information that the elephant had died from eating tutu came from Julius von Haast, and the story outlined is credible. Henry Connor included it in his book on poisonous plants and also quotes another article where two elephants ate tutu but did survive, if only just.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TPRSNZ1869-2.2.10.3
Thanks for that and for your article.
Thank you, I'm glad you found something interesting in it.
Great article. I knew about the elephants, but not about how Māori treated the plant. I SO enjoy the Turnstone! Ngā mihi maioha.
Than you so much Jean, I'm so glad that you are enjoying it.
Really interesting -- just more proof that the natural world is an interconnected web
Thank you. It is indeed and I love finding those threads.
Super interesting! I think this is the plant which gave the name to Poison Creek which I live near in Central Otago. It killed a lot of sheep back in the days when the whole of the Pisa range was one big holding. There is also a Dead Horse creek near Luggate which could also be connected.
Thank you. Yes, that certainly makes sense. I came across the Pisa Range mentioned as being particularly bad. There were huge numbers of sheep and cattle killed, it was a real menace. I'm not so sure about the horses as there were very few horse fatalities from it - apparently they didn't like to eat it which I suppose was a small blessing.
That was super interesting, thank you. I lived on a farm years ago and I am familiar with tutu. Down on the farm they referred to it as "toot", which makes it sound misleadingly benign.
It does, as does tutu. You'd never realise just looking at the plant either, especially when it's covered with shiny berries.