> [!summary] Progressive Summary # Structured Notes ## Definitions ## Chapter Summaries ### Chapter 1 - Tōtara in the natural world Tōtara are descended from *gymnosperms* - the first seed-bearing plants. Conifers are the most dominant plant in this group. Podocarps are the dominant family of southern hemisphere conifers. "Tara" refers to anything that is pointed, like the rays of the sun, a mountain peak, or the spines of a fish. Tōtara simply means "the tree with the very sharp trunk" (tō) and "that which possesses the sharply pointed leaves". *Podocarpus totara* was the first New Zealand plant to have its Māori name adopted as the species name. # Quotes # References