Santalum ellipticum | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Santalales |
Family: | Santalaceae |
Genus: | Santalum |
Species: | S. ellipticum
|
Binomial name | |
Santalum ellipticum |
Santalum ellipticum, commonly known as ʻIliahialoʻe ( Hawaiian) or coastal sandalwood, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the mistletoe family, Santalaceae, that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. [3] It is a sprawling shrub to small tree, typically reaching a height of 1–5 m (3.3–16.4 ft) and a canopy spread of 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft), but is extremely variable in size and shape. Like other members of the genus, S. ellipticum is a hemi-parasite, deriving some of its nutrients from the host plant by attaching to its roots. [4]
ʻIliahialoʻe inhabits dry forests, low shrublands, and lava plains [4] throughout the archipelago, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but has been extirpated from Laysan and Kahoʻolawe. Although never recorded on Niʻihau, its historic presence on the island is almost certain. [5] S. ellipticum is generally found at elevations from sea level to 560 m (1,840 ft), but populations can occur as high as 950 m (3,120 ft). [4] An isolated individual was observed growing at 2,140 m (7,020 ft) on the island of Hawaiʻi. [5]
The ʻlaʻau ʻala ( heartwood) of ʻiliahialoʻe contains valuable, aromatic essential oils. Trees were harvested for export to China between 1791 and 1840, where the hard, yellowish-brown wood was made into carved objects, chests, and incense. The ʻiliahialoʻe trade peaked from 1815 to 1826. [6] Native Hawaiians used the wood to make pola, the deck on a waʻa kaulua ( double-hulled canoe). Powdered ʻlaʻau ʻala was used as a perfume and added to kapa cloth. [7]
Native Hawaiians combined leaves and bark of the ʻiliahialoʻe with naio ( Myoporum sandwicense) ashes to treat kepia o ke poʻo ( dandruff) and liha o ka lauoho ( head lice). ʻIliahialoʻe shavings mixed with ʻawa ( Piper methysticum), nioi ( Eugenia reinwardtiana), ʻahakea ( Bobea spp.), and kauila ( Alphitonia ponderosa) was used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. [6]
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Santalum ellipticum | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Santalales |
Family: | Santalaceae |
Genus: | Santalum |
Species: | S. ellipticum
|
Binomial name | |
Santalum ellipticum |
Santalum ellipticum, commonly known as ʻIliahialoʻe ( Hawaiian) or coastal sandalwood, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the mistletoe family, Santalaceae, that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. [3] It is a sprawling shrub to small tree, typically reaching a height of 1–5 m (3.3–16.4 ft) and a canopy spread of 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft), but is extremely variable in size and shape. Like other members of the genus, S. ellipticum is a hemi-parasite, deriving some of its nutrients from the host plant by attaching to its roots. [4]
ʻIliahialoʻe inhabits dry forests, low shrublands, and lava plains [4] throughout the archipelago, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but has been extirpated from Laysan and Kahoʻolawe. Although never recorded on Niʻihau, its historic presence on the island is almost certain. [5] S. ellipticum is generally found at elevations from sea level to 560 m (1,840 ft), but populations can occur as high as 950 m (3,120 ft). [4] An isolated individual was observed growing at 2,140 m (7,020 ft) on the island of Hawaiʻi. [5]
The ʻlaʻau ʻala ( heartwood) of ʻiliahialoʻe contains valuable, aromatic essential oils. Trees were harvested for export to China between 1791 and 1840, where the hard, yellowish-brown wood was made into carved objects, chests, and incense. The ʻiliahialoʻe trade peaked from 1815 to 1826. [6] Native Hawaiians used the wood to make pola, the deck on a waʻa kaulua ( double-hulled canoe). Powdered ʻlaʻau ʻala was used as a perfume and added to kapa cloth. [7]
Native Hawaiians combined leaves and bark of the ʻiliahialoʻe with naio ( Myoporum sandwicense) ashes to treat kepia o ke poʻo ( dandruff) and liha o ka lauoho ( head lice). ʻIliahialoʻe shavings mixed with ʻawa ( Piper methysticum), nioi ( Eugenia reinwardtiana), ʻahakea ( Bobea spp.), and kauila ( Alphitonia ponderosa) was used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. [6]
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cite journal}}
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cite journal}}
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help)