Biology:Santalum ellipticum
| 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
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| 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]
Habitat and range
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]
Uses
Non-medicinal
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]
Medicinal
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]
References
- ↑ {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Santalum ellipticum | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = 2011-03-08 }}
- ↑ "Santalum ellipticum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SAEL2. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ Little Jr., Elbert L.; Roger G. Skolmen (1989). "ʻIliahi-a-lo e, coast sandalwood". Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). United States Forest Service. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Santalum_ellipticum.pdf.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Merlin, Mark D.; Lex A.J. Thomson; Craig R. Elevitch (April 2006). Santalum ellipticum, S. freycinetianum, S. haleakalae, and S. paniculatum (Hawaiian sandalwood). The Traditional Tree Initiative. http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/Santalum-Haw-sandalwood.pdf.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Santalum ellipticum". Native Plants Hawaii. http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Santalum_ellipticum. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "iliahi". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Bernice P. Bishop Museum. http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=iliahi. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
- ↑ Medeiros, A. C.; C.F. Davenport; C.G. Chimera (1998). Auwahi: Ethnobotany of a Hawaiian Dryland Forest. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. http://www.hear.org/naturalareas/auwahi/ethnobotany_of_auwahi.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q7420023 entry
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