Titoki, New Zealand Ash
Alectryon excelsus
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows 6-12 m tall. The bark is almost black. The leaves are dark green. Underneath they are covered with rusty coloured hairs. The leaves are 5-10 cm long. The flowers are small. The fruit is a brown capsule. It opens to show red flesh and shiny black seeds.
There are 15-34 Electryon species. The Maori formerly extracted an oil from the seeds.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. In New Zealand it grows in lowland forests up to 600 m altitude. It is resistant to fort but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zone 8-9. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, New Zealand (country/location of origin), Tasmania
How it is used for food
The fruit is sweet but acid and has a rough taste.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate easily.