Amyris elemifera is a species of flowering plant in the citrus family, Rutaceae. Its common names include sea torchwood, smooth torchwood,[3] candlewood, sea amyris, tea, cuabilla, and bois chandelle.[4] It is native to Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is also known from northern South America.[3] The species name elemifera is from the Greek, meaning "resin bearing".[5]
Amyris elemifera | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Rutaceae |
Genus: | Amyris |
Species: | A. elemifera
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Binomial name | |
Amyris elemifera |
Sea torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 metres (13 to 39 ft).[4] The smooth, gray bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.[6] The species has a vertical branching habit. It has a weak taproot, but the lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray with age. The hanging foliage is fragrant. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A 3 cm (1.2 in) petiole supports three to five oval or lance-shaped leaflets.[5]
Sea torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.[6] It tolerates many soil types, including soil over rock and coastal sand.[4] It grows in well-drained sites,[6] but it tolerates 750 to 2,000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 in) of yearly precipitation in Puerto Rico.[4] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth.[4]
This species has been used for fences, fuel, and honey production.[4] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistant to dry wood termites. It is too scarce for common use.[4] The plant has yielded taxaline, an oxazole with antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium.[4] The fragrant, globose drupe is black and contains a single brown seed. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife such as birds.[5] In Florida, sea torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).[7][4]