| Alectryon macrococcus | |
|---|---|
| A. m. var. auwahiensis | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Genus: | Alectryon |
| Species: | A. macrococcus |
| Binomial name | |
| Alectryon macrococcus Radlk. |
|
Alectryon macrococcus, known as ʻAlaʻalahua or Māhoe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering tree in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. A. macrococcus var. macrococcus inhabits mesic forests at elevations of 365–1,035 m (1,198–3,396 ft) on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi and western Maui.[2] A. macrococcus var. auwahiensis is restricted to Maui, where it can be found in dry forests on the south slope of Haleakalā at elevations of 360–1,070 m (1,180–3,510 ft).[3] It is threatened by habitat loss.
This is a tree that can reach 11 meters in height. The leaves are each made up of oval-shaped, asymmetrical, net-veined leaflets. The var. auwahiensis has leaflets with rusty-red undersides.[4] The fruit contains a seed with a bright red aril. The seed and aril are sweet-tasting and were food for native Hawaiians.[4] They also attract rats, whose consumption of the seeds prevents the rare plant from reproducing.[4] The black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) destroys the twigs.[5]
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alectryon_macrococcus Alectryon macrococcus] at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Alectryon macrococcus at Wikispecies