General Information

COMMON NAMES: Polynesian Tropical-Almond TRADITIONAL NAMES: Kavariki / Kauariki (RR), Taraire (MG) GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: NATIVE Southern Polynesia (Samoa - Cooks - Australs) COOK ISLANDS STATUS: Native, Endemic of s.Polynesia; Land, lowlands - mountains (++) SIGNIFICANCE LIST: Medicine, Food (SD 1+) KEY FEATURES: Kauariki ‘Enua* (Eastern Tropical-almond) is a tall, broad-topped tree, which is widespread in the Slope Forest from low to mid-elevations. It is the only inland forest tree which sheds its leaves during the winter. It has terminal clusters of large leaves (< 25 cm), which are wide-oval and widest towards the tip. The ovoid, flattened fruit have blunt-edged wings and reach 4.5 cm in length.

Cook Islands Distribution

View Distribution Map

Southern Group: Present    Makatea: -
RR	MG	AT	MK	MT	AK	PL	TK	MN
++	+	-	-	-	-	-		-

Northern Group: -
TN	MH	RK	PK	NS	SW
-	-	-	-	-	-

Terminalia glabrata G.Forster
SYNONYMS: Terminalia glabrata var. rarotongensis [endemic to RR and MG]; Terminalia sp. [sensu GW]; Terminalia catappa [sensu TC]

TAXONOMY: PLANTAE; ANTHOPHYTA (=Angiospermae); MAGNOLIOPSIDA (=Dicotyledones); ROSIDAE; Myrtales; COMBRETACEAE

SIGNIFICANCE NOTES -. Comment: NBSAP - Mangaia (1 of 4 wild)
POSITIVE SIGNIFICANCE: Medicine, Food (SD 1+)

Vouchers:
None Recorded.

References:
p.279 I Cheeseman - Flora of Rarotonga
p.80 Wilder - Flora of Rarotonga
p.368a Whistler - Ethnobotany of the Cook Islands
p.114 McCormack/Kunzle - Rarotonga's Mountain Tracks and Plants

Data Update History (information):
zTX, zB02, zM03a, zD02

Web Resources

• Google
• Google Images