Psydrax odorata

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Psydrax odorata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Ixoroideae
Tribe: Vanguerieae
Genus: Psydrax
Species: P. odorata
Binomial name
Psydrax odorata
(G.Forst.) A.C.Sm. & S.P.Darwin
Synonyms

Canthium odoratum (G.Forst.) Seem.[1]

Psydrax odorata, known as Alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae,[2] that is native to the Pacific Islands, Malesia and Australasia.[3]

Description

The species range from 6–30 ft (1.8–9.1 m) in height, has a spread of 3–7 ft (0.91–2.13 m),[4] and a trunk width of up to 4 in (10 cm).[5] It leaves are glossy green in colour, are up to 3.5 inches (89 mm) long and elliptic. The fruits of the plant are quite round, are black in colour and 3/8 wide.[4]

Ecology

Fruits produce many seeds, which are often being attacked by Orneodes objurgatella, a species of moth whos larvae is causing the damage.[4]

Habitat

The species can be found growing in dry shrub land and in dry to moist forests on an elevation of 2,700 feet (820 m).[4]

Uses

Native Hawaiians used the very hard wood of alaheʻe to make koʻi alaheʻe (adzes for cutting softer woods such as Erythrina sandwicensis), ʻōʻō (digging sticks), and ʻo (short spears). A black dye was made from the leaves.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Canthium odoratum (G. Forst.) Seem.". ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved March 23, 2009. 
  2. ↑ "Psydrax odorata (G. Forst.) A.C. Sm. & S. Darwin". The PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved March 23, 2009. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Medeiros, A. C.; C.F. Davenport; C.G. Chimera (1998). Auwahi: Ethnobotany of a Hawaiian Dryland Forest (PDF). Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Psydrax odorata". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Retrieved March 23, 2009. 
  5. ↑ Little Jr., Elbert L.; Roger G. Skolmen (1989). "Alaheʻe" (PDF). Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). United States Forest Service. 

External links

Media related to Psydrax odorata at Wikimedia Commons

Wikispecies has information related to: Psydrax odorata
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