Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced)

Kamani red. The wood has a pronounced figure on tangential faces imparted by parenchyma tissue and interlocked Calophyllum inophyllum L grain. It is of moderate density (sp. gr. 0:6), with a rela- tively large shrinkage in drying which can result in con- Mangosteen family (Guttiferae) siderable warping of lumber. It is subject to tearouts in Polynesian introduction machining due to its irregular grain, but turns well ex- cept for a peculiar tendency to snag chisels. It is not This handsome tree found along or near seashores is resistant to decay or termites and is currently used in identified by cream-colored resinous sap or latex in bark, Hawaii only occasionally for carved and turned paired thick and stiff, elliptical shiny dark green leaves craftwood products. Elsewhere, it is used for general with closely spaced parallel veins, white flowers clus- 1 construction, cabinetmaking, boat-building, railroad tered among leaves, and round ball fruits 1Ð1 ⁄2 inches crossties, and similar purposes. Hawaiians made bowls (2.5Ð4 cm) in diameter. Apparently introduced by the from the wood. The doors of the main floor of Iolani early Hawaiians, rather than native. Palace in Honolulu have panels of kamani veneer. Medium-sized to large evergreen tree 40Ð60 ft (12Ð 1 The aromatic latex or resin has served in folk rem- 18 m) high and 1Ð1 ⁄2 ft (0.3Ð45 m) in trunk diameter or edies and as tacamahaca resin of commerce. larger, with broad spreading crown of irregular branches. The thick dark green oil extracted from the seeds Bark light gray or brown, smoothish, becoming slightly has been employed medicinally. Formerly, it was used cracked into shallow broad furrows and long flat ridges. as ointment for skin and hair and for burning in lamps. Inner bark pink, fibrous, and bitter. Twigs stout, green, Reportedly, the seeds are poisonous. turning to brown, hairless, with cream-colored or light 1 Regarded as sacred, this tree was grown around yellow resinous sap or latex. Bud about ⁄4 inch (6 mm) temples in the South Sea Islands. Planted in the tropics long, narrow and pointed, dark brown, composed of as an ornamental or shade tree for the dense shiny dark minute leaves without scales. green foliage and fragrant flowers. The species is slow Leaves opposite in four vertical rows on twig, hair- 5 3 growing. It is a common street tree in Puerto Rico and less, with light green leafstalks ⁄8Ð ⁄4 inch (1.5Ð2 cm) has been introduced into southern Florida. long, stout and flattened above. Blades elliptical, 4Ð8 1 1 Large groves occur near the coasts through the Ha- inches (10Ð20 cm) long and 2 ⁄2Ð3 ⁄2 inches (6Ð9 cm) waiian Islands. One in Halawa Valley, Molokai, was wide, slightly notched at rounded apex, rounded at base, noted by early explorers and apparently has been re- slightly turned up from yellow green midvein and con- placed by younger trees. This species is utilized as an cave, with narrow whitish line along straight border; ornamental along coasts because of its resistance to salt thick and stiff, with numerous very fine straight parallel spray. It is planted along Dillingham Boulevard, near side veins scarcely visible until dried, upper surface shiny the Dole Pineapple Cannery, along Kailua Road, along dark green, lower surface yellow green and slightly shiny. Lunalilo Home Road at Koko Marina, and many other Flower clusters (racemes) 2Ð6 inches (5Ð15 cm) long places on Oahu as a street tree. Particularly common at leaf base, with 4Ð15 fragrant white flowers about 1 1 between Isaac Hale Beach Park and Opihikao in the Puna inch (25 mm) across on long stout stalks to 1 ⁄2 inches (4 1 3 District of Hawaii. cm). Calyx of four rounded concave white sepals ⁄4Ð ⁄8 inch (6Ð10 mm) long, in two pairs; corolla of 4Ð8 ellip- Special areas: Waimea Arboretum, Iolani 1 5 tical to oblong concave spreading petals ⁄2Ð ⁄8 inch (13Ð 5 Champion 15 mm) long; many stamens about ⁄16 inch (8 mm) long, Height 59 ft (18.0 m), c.b.h. 18.5 inches (5.6 m), spread with orange anthers and white filaments slightly united 81 ft (24.7 m). Malama-ki Forest Reserve, Puna, Ha- at base; and pistil with round red single-celled ovary con- waii (1968). taining one ovule, slightly curved style, and disk stigma. Fruits (drupes) few in cluster, round balls, light Range green, becoming yellow or brown, with thin pulp. Seed Native of East Indian region of southeast Asia and Pa- 3 1 single, large, brown, round, ⁄4Ð1 ⁄4 inches (2Ð3 cm) in cific islands but widely planted through the tropics. diameter, including shell and kernel. Other common names The sapwood is white and heartwood reddish brown. kamanu, Alexandrian-laurel, beautyleaf; daog (Guam, When fresh cut, the heartwood is distinctly white and N. Marianas); btaches (Palau); biyuch (Yap); rakich

This information is from Agriculture Handbook no. 679 by Elbert L. Little Jr. and Roger G. Skolmen, published by the Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, in 1989. Its present format is that of a reprint version published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced)

(Truk); isou (Pohnpei); eet (Kosrae); lueg (Marshalls); planted. The two species are rather distinctive in leaf fetau (Am. Samoa) size, leaf color, and general appearance. A large kamani True kamani sometimes has been confused with an tree with a name tag grows in Iolani Palace grounds near introduced tree of shores, false kamani or tropical- the gazebo (bandstand). Next to it is a false kamani, also almond, Terminalia catappa, with which it is usually labeled.

Kamani Calophyllum inophyllum L Flowering twig, fruits (below), 2 ⁄3 X (P.R. v. 2).

This information is from Agriculture Handbook no. 679 by Elbert L. Little Jr. and Roger G. Skolmen, published by the Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, in 1989. Its present format is that of a reprint version published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003.