Amyris elemifera
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| Amyris elemifera | ||||||||||||||
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| Amyris elemifera L. |
Sea torchwood (Amyris elemifera) is a coastal evergreen shrub or small tree. It is found in central and southern Florida, the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The resinous wood has been utilized for fuel and torches.[1] Extracts from the roots and resin have been utilized as an expectorant via several species in the genus. In Florida, sea torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).[2][1] It is also known as candlewood and sea amyris, in addition to several common names.[1] The latter portion of its scientific name means "resin bearing" in Greek.[3]
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[edit] Description
Torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 meters (13 to 39 feet).[1] The smooth, gray bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.[4] The species has a vertical branching habit. The species contains a weak taproot, although lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray via aging. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A three-centimeter (1 inch) petiole supports three to five leaflets with ovate, rhombic ovate, or lanceolate blades. The fragrant, globose drupes are black; each fruit contains a single brown seed. The pendulous foliage is aromatic. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife, including various species of birds.[3]
[edit] Ecology
Torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.[4] Torchwood grows in a wide variey of soil textures, fertility, and pH levels. Torchwood grows on limestone in the Bahamas, where it is found in rocky and sandy thickets near the coasts.[1] Sea torchwood usually prefers well-drained sites,[4] although it tolerates 750 to 2000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 inches) of yearly precipitation in Puerto Rico.[1] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth to flowering and fruiting positions.[1] In Florida, sea torchwood is found along the east coast to Flagler County.[4][5]
[edit] Uses
Torchwood has been utilized for fences, fuel, and honey production.[1] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistent to dry wood termites, although it has not been extensively utilized because of its scarcity.[1] Texaline has been extracted from the plant; this oxazole has been an effective antibiotic against bioactive chemicals from Mycobacterium.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j John K. Francis. Amyris elemifera L.. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
- ^ Conservation Management Institute. Schaus swallowtail butterfly. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b University of Florida. Torchwood (Amyris elemifera). School of Forest Resources and Conservation. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b c d Natives for Your Neighborhood. Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera). Institute for Regional Conservation. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
- ^ Dr. Richard Wunderlin and Dr. Bruce Hansen. Amyris elemifera. Institute for Systematic Botany: Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. Retrieved on 2007-12-05.
