Psydrax odorata


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

Description

The species range from in height, has a spread of, and a trunk width of up to. The leaves are glossy green in colour, are up to long and elliptic. The fruits of the plant are quite round, are black in colour and 3/8 wide.

Ecology

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

Habitat

The species can be found growing in dry shrub land and in dry to moist forests at elevations of up to.

Uses

used the very hard wood of alahee to make koi alahee, ōō, and o. A black dye was made from the leaves.