Weinmannia racemosa

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Kamahi
KamahiFoliage.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Cunoniaceae
Genus: Weinmannia
Species:
W. racemosa
Binomial name
Weinmannia racemosa
L.f.
Kamahi flowers

Weinmannia racemosa, commonly called kamahi, is an evergreen small shrub to medium-sized tree of the family Cunoniaceae.[1] It is the most abundant forest tree in New Zealand,[2] occurring in lowland, montane, and subalpine forests and shrubland from the central North Island south to Stewart Island.

Description[]

Kamahi bears racemes of small, pink or white flowers from July to January. Fruits are small capsules, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, ripening from October to May.[1] Kamahi generally occurs with other broadleaf trees, at times acting as a pioneer species which is eventually succeeded by the southern beeches (Nothofagus spp.) or podocarps. It reaches 25 m (82 ft) or more in the Catlins of the south-eastern South Island. In forests to the west of the Southern Alps it codominates with southern rātā (Metrosideros umbellata) and black beech (N. solandri).[3] A closely related tree, tōwai or tawhero (W. silvicola), replaces kamahi in the North Island north of latitude 38°S.[4]

Uses[]

The bark is very high in tannin, about 13%,[5] and was once exported for tanning. The inner bark was used as a laxative by Māori.[6] The wood has a tendency to warp or crack, so it is little used despite the tree's abundance.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b de Lange, P. J. "New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  2. ^ a b Poole, A. L. "Kamahi - 1966 Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  3. ^ "Land Care Research: Kamahi-southern rata forest". Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  4. ^ "Flora of New Zealand". Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  5. ^ L.f. "Plants for a Future". Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  6. ^ "Māori Plant Use". Retrieved 2013-11-22.

Media related to Weinmannia racemosa at Wikimedia Commons

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