Summary
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 | |
| Synonyms[1][2] | |
Description edit
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 edit
The fruits produce many seeds which are often attacked by the larvae of Alucita objurgatella, a species of the many-plumed moths.[5]
Habitat edit
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 edit
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]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Psydrax odorata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
- ^ "Canthium odoratum (G. Forst.) Seem". ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
- ^ "Psydrax odorata (G. Forst.) A.C. Sm. & S. Darwin". The PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d "Psydrax odorata". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
- ^ 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.
External links edit
Media related to Psydrax odorata at Wikimedia Commons