Common Name: Kiekie

General Information

Freycinetia banksii is a many-branched, evergreen climbing or scrambling shrub with woody stems up to 40mm in diameter; it often forms large, impenetrable masses on the ground, climbing into any nearby trees where it attaches itself by means of aerial roots[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is highly favoured as a food and source of weaving materials by the Maori[]. This may be considered by far the finest native fruit of New Zealand[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern and eastern New Zealand

Habitat

Rain forests, coastal scrub[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Freycinetia banksii is found in the subtropical and warm temperate climate of New Zealand, where it succeeds in coastal regions as far south as latitude 42°. It grows best in areas of moderate to high rainfall[, ].

If the growing tip of a stem is damaged, the stem will resprout and branch from another bud. This makes leaf harvest very easy - simply grasp a bunch of about 20 leaves and wrench them from the tuft. Harvesting leaves using this traditional manner does not harm the plant, and in fact encourages resprouting from the damaged site[].
It is customary to protect the bracts and fruit from rats by tying leaves over the flower spikes[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms are required if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Flower bracts - raw[]. The plant bears a flower, the inner leaves (bracts) of which are soft and fleshy, and form a delicious fruit in summer[]. The inner leaves (bracts) are very thick, white, fleshy, and sweet, and the whole flower can be eaten[]. A highly desirable, traditional food[]. Flowers from male plants produce larger, fleshier bracts[].

In winter the fruit attains a length of nearly 30cm, and a diameter of 8cm, the outer skin is rough and very bitter, but when scraped off it exposes the pulp of the fruit, which when fully ripe is very sweet and of an agreeable flavour[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The fibrous leaves are used in weaving and plaiting[]. Common articles of clothing, war-mats of defence etc were woven from leaves by the Maori[]. Strips split from the leaves are boiled, rinsed and dried in the sun, which bleaches them white. They are pliable and easy to work. The leaves also absorb dyes well. Kiekie is often used in the making of fine, soft mats for wharenui and in creating tukutuku panels[].
The plant produces leaves up to 100cm in length, these are spirally arranged in dense tufts at the ends of branches. The two halves of the leaf are separated down the midrib. The whitish ribs are where the strongest fibres lie, and are included in the strips that a weaver prepares for raranga[].

The leaves can be spun into threads, cords, ropes etc[].

The aerial roots can be used for lashings in canoe making and for making canoe sails[].

Propagation

Seed -