karon.
/ˈkarəʊ/, U.S. /ˈkɛroʊ/, New Zealand English /ˈkʌro/, /ˈkʌrʌu/ New Zealand.
An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pittosporum crassifolium, which bears crimson flowers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > non-British trees or shrubs > [noun] > pittosporum
pittosporum1789
pittosporad1846
karo1853
incense-tree1884
1853 J. D. Hooker Bot. Antarctic Voy.: Flora Novæ-Zelandiæ I. 23 Pittosporum cornifolium..Nat. name, ‘Karo’.
1868 W. Colenso in Trans. & Proc. N.Z. Inst. 1868 (1869) 1 iii. Essay. 5 Of our shrubs and smaller timber trees, several are of strikingly beautiful growth, or blossom, or foliage; and are often seen to advantage in some clear glade..and, on the sea-coast,..the Karo, Pittosporum crassifolium.
1928 L. Cockayne & E. P. Turner Trees N.Z. 104 Pittosporum crassifolium... Karo. A small tree, 15–30 ft. high, or frequently a dense shrub.
1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Dec. 533/1 The native karo (Pittosporum crassifolium) will thrive in heavy shade and will stand strong salt winds and much drier soil conditions than boxthorn, but it requires permanent double fencing to protect it from stock.
1963 J. T. Salmon N.Z. Flowers & Plants in Colour 53 The rich sweet scent of karo flowers fills the air of a calm evening when the tree is in flower.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1853