Alphitonia ponderosa is a species of flowering tree in the family Rhamnaceae, that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is locally known as kauila, as is the related Colubrina oppositifolia.
Description Alphitonia ponderosa is a medium to large tree, reaching high with a trunk in diameter.
Leaves The alternate leaves are ovate, long, and have petioles. The leaves are shiny, hairless, and green on the top, but are a dull light green with rust-colored veins on the bottom.
Flowers Flowers of A. ponderosa are polygamous and form cymes at the bases of leaves. They are in diameter; the five sepals are and cover five petals.
Fruit The fruit of A. ponderosa is a diameter drupe, which contain two to three seeds. The seeds are shiny, oblong, and have a red covering.
Habitat Alphitonia ponderosa inhabits dry, coastal mesic, and mixed mesic forests at elevations of on all main islands, but is rare except on Kauai. It grows as a shrub on exposed ridges.
Uses The reddish-brown wood of A. ponderosa is highly prized for its beauty, strength, and density. It was used as a replacement for metal by the Native Hawaiians, who made laau melomelo (fishing lures), (daggers), (short spears), (long spears), ōō (digging sticks), (round , ie kūkū (square beaters), (shark tooth clubs), and kiʻi (tiki carvings) with it.
Conservation Alphitonia ponderosa is considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN because of its fragmented distribution and declining population. Major threats include rats, pigs, deer, competition with introduced species of plants, and wildfire.
See also Colubrina oppositifolia Kauila
References