Karaka
Botanical name: Corynocarpus laevigatus
Synonyms: None
Common name(s): Karaka, New Zealand Laurel
About:
Karaka is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive coastal trees, recognised for its dense glossy canopy, leathery dark green leaves and large orange fruit. It is a long-lived evergreen tree that has immense cultural significance to both Māori and Moriori, who cultivated and valued it as an important food source after careful preparation of its highly poisonous seeds. Although naturally a coastal species, karaka is widely planted and has become naturalised well beyond its original range.
Natural habitat:
Mainly coastal forests, coastal cliffs, forest margins and sheltered valleys. Occasionally found inland, particularly near historic Māori settlements and cultural sites.
Growing environment:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerates coastal exposure, wind and moderate drought
once established but is frost-tender when young.
Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Naturally widespread from the Three Kings Islands and Raoul Island through much of the North Island, extending to the upper South Island, Banks Peninsula, Okarito and the Chatham Islands. Its exact original distribution is uncertain due to extensive historical Māori cultivation and planting.
Height:
15–20 m
Width:
10–15 m
Flowering:
August–November
Fruiting:
January–April
Uses:
• Coastal shelter and specimen tree
• Native forest restoration within its natural range
• Shade tree
• Important food source for native birds
• Cultural and historical plantings
• Traditional Māori and Moriori food after careful detoxification
• Timber for traditional waka and tools
Appearance:
Growth habit:
A large, broad-canopied evergreen tree with a stout grey trunk and strong spreading branches, forming a dense rounded crown.
Leaves:
Large, thick, leathery and highly glossy leaves are dark green above and paler beneath. They are elliptic to oblong, measuring 10–20 cm long and 5–7 cm wide, with slightly recurved margins.
Flowers:
Numerous small greenish-cream to pale yellow flowers are borne in large upright panicles during late winter and spring. Although individually small, the flower clusters are highly attractive to pollinating insects.
Fruit:
Large oval drupes ripen from green to bright yellow-orange and measure 25–40 mm long. The fleshy outer fruit is edible when ripe, but the large seed inside contains the highly poisonous neurotoxin karakin unless properly detoxified by traditional methods.
Ecology:
Karaka fruit is an important seasonal food source for kererū and Chatham Island pigeon, which are the primary seed dispersers. The dense evergreen canopy provides shelter and nesting habitat for native birds and insects. Outside its natural range the species can spread aggressively, forming dense seedling carpets that suppress native forest regeneration.
Associated habitats:
Coastal broadleaf forest, pōhutukawa forest, coastal gullies, forest margins, estuaries, offshore islands, historic Māori pā sites and Moriori cultural landscapes.
How to grow:
Plant in full sun or partial shade in fertile, free-draining soil. Water regularly while establishing. Karaka tolerates wind, coastal conditions and periods of summer dryness but young trees require protection from severe frost. Best suited to larger gardens, parks and coastal landscapes.
Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed. Seeds should be sown soon after the fleshy fruit is removed. Cuttings are generally difficult to strike.
Cultural use:
Karaka is regarded as a taonga by both Māori and Moriori. Its fruits were an important traditional food after the poisonous kernels were detoxified by prolonged cooking and washing. The leaves were used medicinally, timber was used for waka construction, and on the Chatham Islands the trunks of kōpi (karaka) trees were carved with internationally significant Moriori dendroglyphs known as rākau momori.
Garden value:
An outstanding evergreen specimen tree valued for its lush tropical appearance, glossy foliage and brilliant orange fruit. It is ideal for coastal gardens, parks and large landscapes where it provides year-round structure, deep shade and excellent habitat for native wildlife. Care should be taken when planting near children or pets because the seeds are poisonous.