See also: kowhai

Maori edit

Etymology edit

Cognate with Hawaiian 'ōhai (Sesbania tomentosa), Tahitian ofai (Sesbania grandiflora) and South Marquesan kohai (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) from Proto-Polynesian *kōfai.[1]

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

kōwhai

  1. Any of several small woody legume trees in the genus Sophora native to New Zealand that have yellow flowers. The national flower of New Zealand.
  2. yellow

See also edit

See also edit

Colors in Maori · ngā tae (layout · text)
     , tea      kiwikiwi      pango
             whero, kura              karaka; parauri              kōwhai, renga
                          kākāriki              kārikiuri
                          kikorangi              kahurangi
             tūāuri              waiporoporo              māwhero

References edit

  1. ^ “Kōfai”, in Te Māra Reo: The Language Garden[1], Benton Family Trust, 2022