Psydrax odorata

Psydrax odorata, known as alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of floweringshrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae.^[3] It is native to the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and Australia.^[1][4] The first name, Psydrax, is the definition for a blister or bump, while odoratus defines as a nice aroma.^[5]

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),^[6] and a trunk width of up to 4 in (10 cm).^[7] The leaves are glossy green in color, are up to 3.5 inches (89 mm) long and elliptic. The fruits of the plant are quite round, are black in color and 3/8 wide.^[6] They also have the capability to live for 5 years while being able to live in difficult environments such as: dry soil, little sunlight for photosynthesis and little to no fertilizer.^[5] The white flowers are bisexual.^[5] Meaning that the white flowers of Psydrax odorata have both male and female organs for reproductive. This aids in the survivability for offspring.^[8]

The fruits produce many seeds which are often attacked by the larvae of Alucita objurgatella, a species of the many-plumed moths.^[6]

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).^[6] This Psydrax Odorata plant is mainly found in the Hawaiian Islands. This species can be specifically seen on a hill called Kaluakauila in O'ahu.^[9] They are also found in the Big Island of Hawaii and Lanai.^[9]

Los nativos hawaianos usaban la madera muy dura de alaheʻe para hacer koʻi alaheʻe ( azuelas para cortar maderas más blandas como Erythrina sandwicensis ) , ʻōʻō ( palos para cavar ) y ʻo ( lanzas cortas ) . Se hacía un tinte negro de las hojas . [ ^{4 ] Se} usaba medicina natural para los enfermos a partir del tallo y las hojas. [ 10 ^{] Algunas personas} usaban las hojas (así como otros ingredientes) para desinfectar fluidos corporales con sangre. ^{[ 11 ]} Las hojas se usaban específicamente porque los isleños del Pacífico y los indígenas australianos confiaban en sus propiedades para tratar lesiones graves y no graves. ^{[ 12 ]}