Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Corynocarpaceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 9 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: New Zealand laurel, karaka, karakara nut

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Trees 3-15 m tall; branches stout.  Leaves dark green, glossy, thick, coriaceous, elliptic to oblong-obovate, (5-) 10-15 (-20) cm long, (3-) 5-7 cm wide, margins slightly revolute, petioles 1-2 cm long.  Flowers in stout, stiff panicles usually 15-20 cm long; sepals suborbicular, ca. 3 mm long; petals greenish yellow, obovate, ca. 5 mm long, margins minutely toothed; staminodes spatulate, minutely toothed.  Drupes orange, ellipsoid to ovoid, 2.5-4 cm long"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 566).

Habitat/ecology:  "It forms a dense shade excluding other species.  It grows in mesic habitats between 700-1,500 m in Hawai‘i" (Smith, 1985; p. 189).

Propagation:  Seed (poisonous to man) distributed by frugivorous birds and pigs.

Native range:  New Zealand; cultivated and naturalized elsewhere (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 566)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 566)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 566)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 566)
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Kermadec Islands	native	Allan, H. H. (1982) (p. 457) "Coastal and lowland forest".
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	native	Sykes, W. R. (1977) (p. 101)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	native	Allan, H. H. (1982) (p. 457) "Coastal and lowland forest".

Control: 

Chemical: "Sensitive to cut-surface (notching) applications of glyphosate. Triclopyr, dicamba and 2,4-D a little less effective so may require closer spacing of notches. Basal bark application of imazapyr effective.  Thinline application of Pathfinder® II in vertical streaks effective" (Motooka et al., 2003).