Psydrax odorata

(G. Forst.) A. C. Sm. & S. P. Darwin

Shiny-leaved Canthium, Sweet Susie, Inland native coffee

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit 2,081 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Psydrax odorata, known as alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. It is native to the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and Australia.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-10 m tall. The leaves are opposite and sword shaped. They taper to the base. They are smooth and leathery. They are dark green above and paler underneath. They are 8-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are white. They have 5-6 star-like petals. They are about 0.7-1 cm across. They are borne in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit is round and black. It normally has 2 lobes. It is about 0.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

Native Hawaiians used the very hard wood of alaheʻe to make koʻi alaheʻe (adzes for cutting softer woods such as Erythrina sandwicensis), ʻōʻō (digging sticks), and ʻo (short spears). A black dye was made from the leaves.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest and rainforest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 875 m altitude. They need light shade and plenty of water.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seed or cuttings.

Notes

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Synonyms

Canthium odoratum (G. Forst.) Seem.Coffea odorata G. Forst.Ixora odorata (G. Forst.) Spreng.Plectronia odorata (G. Forst.) F. Muell.

Also Known As

Alahe'e, Iamboto

References (20)

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 198 (As Canthium odoratum)
Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 87 (As Canthium odoratum)
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 437 (As Canthium odoratum)
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 74 (As Canthium odoratum)
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 457 (As Canthium odoratum)

Show all 20 references

Franklin, J., Keppel, G., & Whistler, W., 2008, The vegetation and flora of Lakeba, Nayau and Aiwa Islands, Central Lau Group, Fiji. Micronesica 40(1/2): 169–225, 2008
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 77 (As Canthium odoratum)
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 87 (As Canthium odoratum)
Hunter, J. T. & Sheringham, P., 2006, Vegetation and Floristics of Melville Range Nature Reserve. A Report to the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service. p 179
Lamoureux, C.H., 1976, Trailside Plants of Hawaii's National Parks. Hawaii Natural History Association. p 67 (As Canthium odoratum)
Lavelle, M., 2008, Wild Flowers of Australia and Oceania. Southwater. p 83 (As Canthium odoratum)
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 46 (As Canthium odoratum)
Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 302
Pearson, S. & A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia. Kangaroo Press p 55 (As Canthium odoratum)
Steenbeeke, Greg as part of the Plants Directory project. List of plant species from northern NSW that may be used as food plants p 14
Thaman, R. and W. Clarke, Paper on Agroforestry on Aneityum and Tanna, Vanuatu from Internet (As Canthium odoratum)
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 119 (As Canthium odoratum)
Williams, J.B., Harden, G.J., and McDonald, W.J.F., 1984, Trees and shrubs in rainforests of New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Univ. of New England, Armidale. p 116 (As Canthium odoratum)
www.theplantlist.org
Yuncker, T.G., 1959, Plants of Tonga, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Hawaii, Bulletin 220. p 250