kahikatea
kahikatea Lexical Profile
kahikatea Game Scores & Validity
• noun
New Zealand A very tall, coniferous tree of the family Podocarpaceae (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) endemic to New Zealand, typically growing in lowland swamp forests and noted as the country's tallest native tree species.
"The boardwalk wound through a remnant wetland forest dominated by towering kahikatea."
New Zealand The small, sweet, bright red or orange fleshy berry-like fruit (aril) produced by the kahikatea tree, traditionally gathered and eaten as a seasonal food source by the Māori.
"In autumn, native pigeons flock to the canopy to feast on the ripe kahikatea."
New Zealand The pale, lightweight, and odorless timber of the kahikatea tree, historically prized for making butter boxes and boat hulls.
"Because kahikatea does not taint food with resinous odors, it was extensively milled for dairy export crates in the late nineteenth century."
• Rhymes for kahikatea
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 19th century directly from the Māori word kahikatea, referring to the native New Zealand white pine.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.