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Accession Data:

Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.

  • Common Name: Karaka, New Zealand Laurel
  • Family: Corynocarpaceae Engl.

  • Country of Origin: New Zealand
  • Habitat: Coastal and lowland forest, south to latitude 44øsouth

  • Description: This New Zealand evergreen normally makes a 20-30 ft (6-9 m) tree with a dense, rounded crown. The broad leathery leaves are lustrous deep green and up to 8 in (20 cm) long. Clusters of small yellow-green flowers are followed in fall (autumn) or winter by orange-yellow fruit 3/4-1 1/2 in (18-38 mm) long, each containing a large, highly poisonous seed - it was only after careful treatment and roasting that this was made safe to eat by the Maoris.

  • USDA Zone: 9-11

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 198500638
  • Source: Unknown
  • Accession Date: 12-31-1985
  • Bench: 1220 - AUS:East Bench SS
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 2 confirmed on 10-05-2024
  • Restrictions:
    • Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption
      Fruit is edible, but seeds are poisonous.

Classification:

  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • SubClass: eurosids I
  • Order: Cucurbitales
  • SubOrder:
  • Family: Corynocarpaceae
  • SubFamily:
  • Tribe:
  • SubTribe:

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

References (internal):

  • EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Chatham Is. / Kermadec Is. / New Zealand North / New Zealand South

References (external):

  1. Plants For A Future Website
  2. Botanica, Turner & Wasson, 1997 (CD-ROM version)
  3. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed 21 October 2015.
  4. WCSP (2015). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed 21 October 2015.

data regenerated on Sat, 05 Oct 2024 12:00:52 -0400 [bcm v4.0]

Images:

No default accession image assigned

Additional images for this accession:

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Current Accessions in the Corynocarpaceae

  • Corynocarpus laevigatus
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days
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