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Corynocarpus spp. - Various

Common Name Karaka
Family Corynocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Coastal and lowland forest, south to latitude 44°south[44].
Range Native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Corynocarpus spp. Karaka


Corynocarpus spp. Karaka

 

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Summary

Native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu but also found in parts of the US and Europe. Corynocarpus app is a good Carbon Farming Solutions plant as an Industrial starch Crop. Corynocarpus spp. are crops suited to woody agriculture. Corynocarpus is the only genus of plants in the family Corynocarpaceae and includes five species.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Corynocarpus spp. is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

See individual species.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Seed
Edible Uses:

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None Known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: starch (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Corynocarpus spp. are crops suited to woody agriculture. [1-1].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Starch  Management: Standard  Wild Crop

Climate: warm temperate to subtropical. Humidity: humid. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: wild. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Starch  Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Wild Crop  Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[188]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Corynocarpus species. New Zealand Laurel, Karaka nut, karaka, Cook Islands: koopii. Germany: Karakabaum. Hawaii: karaka nut; karakanut; karakaranut; New Zealand laurel. New Zealand: koopii; kopi; Maori peanut; wairarapa.

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. USA -California, Hawaii. Europe: Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Noted as weedy in two areas. The first is in southern regions of the North Island of New Zealand, where the evidence strongly suggests it is not native, but instead consists of culturally established populations, with adjacent escapees. The second is in Hawaii where it was originally planted but has since turned aggressive, being given a score of 7/10 in the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) assessment, and rated as "high risk".

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Corynocarpus laevigatusNew Zealand Laurel, Karaka nutTree12.0 7-10  LMHSNM204

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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