Taraire
Beilschmiedia tarairi

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A tree. It can grow 22 m high. The trunk is straight. It can be 1 m across. The bark is smooth and brown. The leaf stalks are 1.5 cm long. The leaves are swollen between the veins. The leaves are almost as broad as they are long. There are reddish-brown hairs on the small branches. The flowers are small. They grow in clusters 10 cm long. The fruit are purplish-black. They are oval and fleshy with a hard stone inside. The fruit can be 3.5 cm long.

There are about 100-250 Beilschmeidia species. They are in the tropics.

Where it is found

It grows in coastal and lowland forests in New Zealand. It grows from sea level to 250 m altitude. It is only slightly hardy to frost. It needs a good well-drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

New Zealand (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The kernels are poisonous unless properly treated. The fruit are eaten after being boiled. The water needs to be changed several times. They were traditionally steamed in an underground stone oven for up to 2 days.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernels

How it is grown

Plants can be raised from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Nesodaphne tarairi Hook.f.;