Kamahi
Weinmannia racemosa
Family: Cunoniaceae
What it is like
UPDATE 12/09/2011: Weinmannia racemosa L. f. is a synonym of Leiospermum racemosum (L. f.) D. Don
Weinmannia racemosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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.
Height (m): 25
Where it is found
Lowland to montane forest, North, South and Stewart islands.
New Zealand.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw. A sweet and pleasant flavour. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter. CAUTION! The berries are not edible according to Crowe, the main authority on New Zealand edibles, see page 165 A field Guide to the Native edible plants of New Zealand 1997 edition. He says the error probably started with Sturtevant getting confused with Tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa, one of the best N.Z edibles I think, if you can adjust to fruit tasting like potato) which has a similar Maori name. He does not however say it is poisonous and it is not listed anywhere as poisonous as far as I can see. It was however very valuable to Maori for other uses above and bark was once exported for very high tannin content. [David Nicholls, New Zealand]
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A black dye is obtained from the bark. The bark contains about 13% tannin. Wood. Used in cabinet making.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Prefers a light rich soil. Succeeds in a fertile well-drained circum-neutral loamy soil, with shelter from cold winds. Plants are not very frost-tolerant, though they are probably hardy in the mildest areas of the country. The foliage of this tree when an adult is markedly different from the juvenile foliage, though plants begin to flower whilst still in the juvenile form.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give some protection for its first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist