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Xylosma hawaiensis

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Xylosma hawaiensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Xylosma
Species:
X. hawaiensis
Binomial name
Xylosma hawaiensis
Synonyms

Drypetes forbesii Sherff.[2]

Xylosma hawaiensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. Common names include Hawai'i brushholly,[3] maua, and aʻe (Maui only).[4]

Description

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Xylosma hawaiensis is a small deciduous tree,[2] reaching a height of 3–9 m (9.8–29.5 ft).[4] The alternate, elliptical leaves are 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long, 3–7.5 cm (1.2–3.0 in) wide, and produced on thin petioles 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) in length. Young leaves are bronze green, reddish, or copper-colored with red veins, aging to shiny dark green on top and slightly shiny green on bottom. Twigs are initially dark red and mature to a dark brown. Racemes 13–25 mm (0.51–0.98 in) long are produced at the bases of new leaves or the back of leaves. The dioecious flowers are greenish or reddish and 6 mm (0.24 in) in diameter.[2] Female plants produce abundant berries in the summer and fall that are deep red when ripe and about 1 cm (0.39 in) in diameter.[5]

Habitat

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Maua can be found in dry,[2] mixed mesic, and, occasionally, wet forests at elevations of 400–1,220 m (1,310–4,000 ft).[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Xylosma hawaiiensis Seem". ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  2. ^ a b c d Little Jr., Elbert L.; Roger G. Skolmen (1989). "Maua, xylosma" (PDF). Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
  3. ^ "Xylosma L." ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  4. ^ a b c "maua, ae (Maui)". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  5. ^ Culliney, John L.; Bruce P. Koebele (1999). A Native Hawaiian Garden: How to Grow and Care for Island Plants. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 112–114. ISBN 978-0-8248-2176-0.
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Media related to Xylosma hawaiiense at Wikimedia Commons