There are thousands of different trees scattered across this planet we call home. But how many of them do you know? Below, we’ll explore trees that start with k. For each of these, you’ll find a description of the tree, the country of their origin, and the names they go by in other countries.
This won’t only help expand your knowledge of trees, but might even help you identify a tree you’ve got growing in your garden or spotted in your local natural beauty spot!
1. Kaki Tree
The kaki tree (Ficus benghalensis) has a short trunk, large leaves, and small flowers. It grows in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The fruit of this tree is called kakis or bael.
It’s also known as the Indian fig tree because it was introduced to Europe by the Portuguese during their voyages to India.
In English, the word “bael” comes from the Arabic for apple. In Hindi, the name means “grape”.
In Chinese, the fruits are called “Guang”, which means “red”.
The kaki tree can grow up to 25 feet tall and reach maturity at around 20 years old.
2. Kalumpang Tree
The Kalumpang tree (Mimusops elengi) is native to South Africa. It is one of the most popular trees in South Africa due to its beautiful foliage.
This tree has long slender branches and thick leathery leaves. Its fruits are edible and have a sweet taste. They are used to make jams, jellies, and syrups.
In Malayalam, the fruits are called kalampakam, meaning “small mangoes”.
The Kalumpang tree is also known as the African Mango Tree.
3. Kanji Tree
The kanji tree (Cinnamomum camphora) is native to China and Japan. It is also found in Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Its wood is very hard and strong. It is often used to make furniture such as tables and chairs.
In Japanese, the tree is called “ko-kanji” or “ko-zakura”. Ko means “tree” and zakura means “cherry blossom”.
In Korean, the tree is called the “saenggang-jok” or “saenggangjuksu”. Saenggang means “to cross over” and juksu means “to help”.
In Vietnamese, the tree is called “cây gấc”. Gấc means “to be green” and “green plant”.
RELATED: 9 Different Types Of Japanese Trees
4. Kapur Tree
The Kapur tree (Sterculia urens) is native to tropical Asia and Africa. It is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
The Kapur tree has a straight trunk with many branches. The leaves are broad and dark green. The flowers are white and fragrant.
In Tamil, the tree is called kapooram. Kapooram means “flowering flower”.
In Sinhalese, the tree is called chathura. Chathura means “flower”.
In Urdu, the tree is called “khwajaghara”. Khwaja means “lord” and ghara means “flower”.
5. Karela Tree
The Karela tree (Phyllostachys nigra) is native to southern China, eastern India, and Southeast Asia.
It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
The Karela tree has a thin trunk and large leaves. The flowers are yellowish-white and fragrant.
The fruits are round but not spherical like apples. They are eaten raw or cooked.
In Chinese, the tree is called chengchong. Cheng means “long” and chong means “to bend”.
In Thai, the tree is called phlung, which means “to bend”. In Japanese, the tree is known as hana no mikoshi. Hana means “flower” and mikoshi means “portable shrine”.
6. Kerriki Tree
The Kerriki tree (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) is native to Australia. It is found throughout all of Australia except for Tasmania.
The tree grows up to 60 feet tall and has rough bark on the trunk. The leaves are small and oval-shaped.
In Aboriginal languages, the tree is called kerrikie. Kerrikie means”small tree“.
In Indonesian, the tree is called perah. Perah means”small tree”.
In Malaysian, the tree is called kereta raya. Kereta raya means “big wheel”.
7. Khempo Tree
The Khempo tree (Acacia dealbata) is native to central and western parts of Africa. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Khempo tree has short stout trunks and large hairy leaves. The flowers are bright red and fragrant.
Korean people call this tree “daegeum”. Dae means “large” and geum means”red”.
8. Kapok Tree
The Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is native to South America. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia.
The Kapok tree has long thick stems and wide-spreading branches. Its leaves are light green and shiny.
In Spanish, the tree is called ceibo. Ceibo means”ceiba tree”.
In Italian, the tree is called pino delle boschere. Boschere means “forest trees”.
In Portuguese, the tree is called pinho de abobora. Abobo means”forest” and boa means”bird”.
In Russian, the tree is called пиньо. Piny means”pine”.
9. Kalantas Tree
The Kalantas tree (Mimusops elengi) is native to Madagascar. It is found in the Indian Ocean region from Mauritius to Indonesia.
The tree has a slender trunk and large glossy leaves. The flowers are pink and fragrant.
Malaysian people call this tree “kelapa kulon”. Kelapa means”shells” and kulon means”tree”.
10. King Orange Tree
The King orange tree (Artocarpus altilis) is native to tropical areas of Central and East Asia. It is found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Taiwan, and Japan.
The tree has smooth greyish bark and large leaves. The fruit is orange-colored and edible.
In the Malay language, the tree is called buah kering. Buah means”fruit” and kering means”skin”.
In Korean, the tree is called danggol. Dang means “tree” and gol means “orange”.
In Vietnamese, the tree is called cây tưới. Cây means “tree” and tượi means “orange”.
11. Kahikatea Tree
The Kahikatea tree (Dacrydium cupressinum) is native to New Zealand. It is found in North Island and South Island.
The tree has very hard wood, and it can grow up to 90 feet (ca. 27 m) tall. The leaves are dark green and lance-shaped.
In the Maori language, the tree is known by its local name “tīwai”. Tiwai means”shade tree“.
In Hawaiian, the tree is called “alaea”. Alaea means “sunshine”.
12. Kanzan Tree
The Kanzan tree (Sophora japonica) is native to China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia.
The tree grows up to 40 meters high and has small oval-shaped leaves. The flower color varies from white to yellow or purple.
In Japanese, the tree is called kanzan. Kanzan means “sunshine”. In Chinese, the tree is called yuan yang hong. Yuan yang means “sunshine”, and hong means “tree”.
13. Kankakee Tree
The Kankakee tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is native to the Eastern United States. It is found in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
This tree has a round trunk with rough bark. The leaves have five lobes and they are broad at the base. The flowers are bright red and fragrant.
In French, the tree is called arbre des champs. Champs means “fields” and arbre means”tree”.
In German, the tree is called Kirschbaum. Kirsch means “cherries” and baum means”tree”.
In Polish, the tree is called drzewka korzeniowa. Korzenia means”cherry” and drzewko means”tree”.
14. Knockout Tree
The Knockout tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) is native to Australia. It is found in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Tasmania.
The tree has thick branches and big leaves. The flowers are cream-colored and fragrant.
The Australian Aboriginal people call this tree “possum nut”. Possum means”animal” and nut means”nut”.
15. Koelreuteria Tree
The Koelreuteria tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is native to India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. It is found only in India.
The tree has long thin branches and glossy green leaves. The flowers are white and fragrant.
It is also called “Indian banyan”, “banyan” and “Indian silk cotton tree”.
In Tamil, the tree is known as “kanavan”. Kanavan means “silk cotton tree“.
In Sinhalese, the tree is called maha vakya. Vakya means”tree” and mahasila means”main tree”.
16. Kokonino Tree
The Kokonino tree (Araucaria heterophylla) is native to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It is found in central Chile.
The tree has smooth grayish-brown bark. The leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptic. The flowers are pink and fragrant.
17. Korean Pine
The Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) is native to East Asia. It is found in Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Mongolia.
The tree has a short, straight trunk and needle-like leaves that are arranged spirally on the stem.
The Korean people call it “sogyeo”. Sogyeo means “sunshine”. But sogyeo can also be translated into English as “pine tree“.
18. Kentia Palm
The Kentia palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is native to South America. It is found in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
The tree has a stout trunk and it grows up to 20 meters tall. The leaves are fan-shaped and they are dark green.
The Brazilian people call this tree “palma de cajá”. Cajá means”coconut palm”.
19. Key Lime Tree
The Key lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia) is native to Central and South America. It is grown commercially in Florida and California.
The tree has small oval fruit and it grows up to 30 feet high. The leaves are oblong-elliptical and they have serrated edges.
The Key limes are sour and they taste great when mixed with other fruits.
The Spanish people call this tree “limón”. Limón means”lime”.
20. King Of The Forest
The King of the forest (Liriodendron tulipifera) is native to North America. It is found from Maine to Georgia.
The tree has a very large size, growing up to 100 meters tall. The leaves grow singly or in pairs and they are ovate.
The American Indians call this tree “King of the Forest”.
Conclusion
There you have it – a selection of trees that start with the letter K.
Some of these you may have heard of before, but we’re almost certain you’ll have come across some that are brand new to you.
Either way, we hope you’ve learned something and have added to your horticultural knowledge!
Editor’s Recommendations
Top 15 Privacy Trees For Your Lovely Backyard | A Comprehensive Guide
