Corynocarpus Species, Karaka, New Zealand Laurel

The Karaka tree, which is widespread in mainly coastal areas such as Waihi, can grow up to 15 metres tall, is endemic to New Zealand, and...Read More is an evergreen with glossy leaves, has small off-white flowers in spring, and produces an orange fruit in summer. The pulp of the fruit is edible, though bitter, but the flesh kernels contain the lethal alkaloid poison 'karatin'. Extensive processing was used by maori to an edible form. It was boiled or steamed for up to 12 hours, then immersed in running stream water for up to 2 weeks. The kernels were then stored for several months. Re-cooking softened them for eating. The raw flesh of the orange fruit is also edible and has a strong apricot flavour.
Karaka nuts, berries and leaves are attractive to a wide range of animals such as cows, with no apparent ill effects, and may even have beneficial medicinal or therapeutic properties yet to be investigated fully.

I was introduced to this plant as an interior plant while working at a greenhouse in Pittsburgh. I noticed it was very tolerant of negle...Read Morect. Since the three plants were never going to be used in an office or mall,(nobody wanted them) I decided to let them die by not watering them. I noticed after a couple of months that the leaves were still shiny and green. Then I moved them to a shady spot where they survived without any change. Finally, I took them home and left them outside. Outside the sun burned the leaves and I thought that was the end. But they recovered and now live in my home a little leggy but still green even with my benign neglect.
Their poisonous personality rules them out as a houseplant for homes with children or pets, but if you are like me and have little time to water and care for your plants, but want a green surviver this is the one.

Large densely leaved shrub with very thick round bright green shiny leaves. Leaves have unusual quality of retaining normal green color ...Read Moreweeks after being removed from plant. Is on an invasive plant list for Hawaii and other Pacific islands. Fruit highly toxic (but bitter).