Karaka (tree)

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iCorynocarpus laevigatus
Corynocarpus laevigata
Corynocarpus laevigata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Celastrales
Family: Corynocarpaceae
Genus: Corynocarpus
Species: C. laevigatus
Binomial name
Corynocarpus laevigatus

Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus, Corynocarpaceae) is an evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand.

It flowers in May and June and the seeds ripen in December to February. The pulp of the fruit is edible but the seeds are poisonous if eaten raw. If soaked in salt water, boiled or roasted, the seeds become edible.

It grows to heights of 9 to 12 metres and has a trunk 60 cm in diameter. Alternative but little used names for this tree are Kopi and New Zealand laurel.

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