Kāmahi
One of New Zealand's most common forest trees; its cream spikes give ample nectar and a light amber, buttery honey.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSouthern hemisphere months
- Crystallisation
- Medium
- Height
- 10-25 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Kāmahi is one of the commonest trees on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, especially in wet forests. Its creamy white flower spikes, resembling bottlebrushes, give plenty of nectar and pollen in late spring. Because it is so widespread, it is by volume the source of one of New Zealand's important native forest honeys.
Flowering
It flowers from November to January, at times that vary with altitude and latitude. In the forests of the South Island's west coast it is one of the main honey sources.
Honey and pollen
The honey is light amber with a buttery, slightly caramel-like aroma; it crystallises at a moderate rate with a fine grain and is often sold as creamed honey.
Note for the beekeeper
In current classification New Zealand kāmahi has been separated from the genus Weinmannia and moved to Pterophylla; the name Weinmannia racemosa is still often seen on honey labels and in older sources. The species occurs naturally only in New Zealand; for Europe and Turkey this is an entry for information.