Karuka

**Taxonomy and Description:**
– Specific epithet julianettii honors naturalist Amedeo Giulianetti.
– Karuka is a loanword from Tok Pisin.
– Tree also called karuga or karuka nut pandanus.
– Tree reaches 10–30 meters in height with a grey trunk.
– Leaves are 3–4 meters long and 8–12 centimeters wide.
– Male trees have densely-branched spadix with long spikes.
– Female flowers can produce fruit without pollination.

**Cultivars and Distribution:**
– Up to 45 cultivars of karuka exist, with different kernel shapes.
– Tabuna and Henga are important cultivars.
– Papua New Guinea has high linguistic diversity impacting cultivar names.
– Giulianetti’s type specimens were collected from Vanapa, British New Guinea.
– Karuka is found cultivated or wild in New Guinea.
– Wild trees are found in PNG and Papua province.

**Nutritional Value:**
– Karuka nuts contain 2,259–2,929 kJ of energy per 100g.
– High in dietary fiber (9.2-25g) and protein (11.9-18g).
– Good source of minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
– Karuka core has lower fat content compared to karuka nuts.
– Nutritional percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults.

**Ecology and Use by Humans:**
– Karuka fruits in February and sometimes in July.
– Branches flower every other year.
– Pollination by humans.
– Seed dispersal by humans, birds, and animals.
– Karuka is a cultivated crop on New Guinea.
– Nearly 2 million people in PNG regions commonly eat karuka.

**Cultural Significance and References:**
– Goilala District rugby team named Karukas.
– Karuka has export market potential with coordination.
– Martelli described new species of Pandanus in 1907.
– Preliminary observations on Pandanus nut in Papua New Guinea.
– Growing food in Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.