Toetoe

Maori name: Toetoe

Common name: Toitoi grass

Botanical name: Cortaderia toetoe

The toetoe is the largest native grass in New Zealand.

The lower parts of the young shoots of toetoe were eaten to stop diarrhoea.

The young shoots of toetoe were chewed to relieve symptoms of kidney and bladder complaints.

To treat toothache, the stem of the toetoe was roasted on an open fire then chewed until pain was relieved.