Karuka
| Karuka | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Pandanales |
| Family: | Pandanaceae |
| Genus: | Pandanus |
| Section: | Hombronia |
| Species: | P. julianettii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pandanus julianettii | |
| Synonyms | |
Pandanus julianettii, also called karuka, karuka nut, or Pandanus nut, is a species of tree in the Pandanaceae family.[2]
Names
The specific epithet "julianettii" honors naturalist Amedeo Giulianetti, who found the original type specimens.[1]
In New Guinea it goes by different names among each of the Papuan peoples.[2] In the Ankave language it is xweebo.[2] It is yase in the Baruya language.[2] The Huli language word is anga, and it is also anga in the Duna language.[2] In Kewa language it is aga,[2] but it is unclear of this is in Erave (South Kewa), East Kewa, Pasuma (West Kewa), and/or the Kewa pandanus language. The plant is called ama in the Wiru language.[2] In the Pole language it's called maisene.[2] It goes by ank in Angal language.[2] The Imbongu language word is amo.[2]
Description
The species was originally described by Ugolino Martelli from only a few drupes in the collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew[1] He was hesitant to describe it as a new species from only that, but the characteristics we so salient he published his description.[1]
The clavate, pentagonal drupe measures 12 cm long and has a sharpened base.[1] The endocarp is bony and 5½ cm long, with rounded edges about 1½ cm wide.[1] The seed-bearing locule is around 4 cm long.[1] The top of the mesocarp fibrous, from 3 cm long and up.[1] Though Martelli did not have a complete syncarp, he knew the cluster of fruit must be large, estimating at least 30 cm in diameter.[1]
It most closely resembles Pandanus utilissimus, which is found the Philippines.[1]
Distribution
Giulianetti's type specimens were collected from Vanapa, British New Guinea[1] (now southern Papua New Guinea). The tree can be found cultivated or wild on New Guinea, both in PNG and Papua province.[2] Wild trees are found on the Huon Peninsula and in the highlands of New Guinea's central cordillera.[2] It grows between 1,300 and 3,300 m in elevation in areas that get 2-5 m mean annual precipitation.[2] It grows in both dry and wet soils.[2]
Ecology
Use by humans
On New Guinea karuka is cultivated crop.[2] The endosperm, a white kernel, is eaten raw, roasted, or smoked.[2] The karuka kernels have a sweet, coconut taste.[2] Smoked or cooked karuka is either stored in the rafters or sold at local marketplaces.[2] The uncooked clusters can also be stored for months buried in waterlogged earth.[2] It is a regional staple food and one of the few plants in the area with a high protein content.[2] The spongy core of the multiple fruit cluster can also be cooked and eaten once the nuts are removed.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Martelli, Ugolino (December 1907). Martelli, Ugolino (ed.). "Pandanus Nuove Specie Descritte Manipolo II" (PNG). Webbia, Raccolta di Scritti Botanici (in Italian). 2. Firenze: Istituto botanico dell'Università di Firenze: 433. doi:10.1080/00837792.1907.10803460. ISSN 2169-4060. OCLC 899525984. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Lim, Tong Kwee (2012). "Pandanus julianettii". Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants (PDF). Vol. 4. Springer. pp. 128–130. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4053-2_17. ISBN 978-94-007-4053-2. OCLC 822591349. Retrieved 31 August 2018.