Psydrax odorata

Psydrax odorata, known as alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae.[3] It is native to the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and Australia.[1][4]

Psydrax odorata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Psydrax
Species:
P. odorata
Binomial name
Psydrax odorata
(G.Forst.) A.C.Sm. & S.P.Darwin[1]
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Coffea odorata G.Forst.
  • Canthium odoratum (G.Forst.) Seem.
  • Ixora odorata (G.Forst.) Spreng.
  • Plectronia odorata (G.Forst.) F.Muell.

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),[5] and a trunk width of up to 4 in (10 cm).[6] The 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.[5]

Ecology

The fruits produce many seeds which are often attacked by the larvae of Orneodes objurgatella, a species of moth.[5]

Habitat

The species can be found growing in dry shrub land and in dry to moist forests at elevations of up to 2,700 feet (800 m).[5]

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.[4]

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References
  1. "Psydrax odorata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  2. "Canthium odoratum (G. Forst.) Seem". ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  3. "Psydrax odorata (G. Forst.) A.C. Sm. & S. Darwin". The PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  4. 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. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "Psydrax odorata". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  6. Little Jr., Elbert L.; Roger G. Skolmen (1989). "Alaheʻe" (PDF). Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). United States Forest Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2010-02-12.

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