Karaka
Corynocarpus spp.
Family: Corynocarpaceae
What it is like
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.
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.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Coastal and lowland forest, south to latitude 44°south.
Native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. USA -California, Hawaii. Europe: Portugal
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
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..
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.
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.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
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).
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. 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.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
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".
Its other names
Local names
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.
Synonyms
See individual species.