Amyris elemifera
| Amyris elemifera | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Amyris |
| Species: | A. elemifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Amyris elemifera L. |
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Amyris elemifera, commonly known as Sea Torchwood, is a coastal evergreen shrub or small tree. It is found in central and southern Florida in the United States, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The resinous wood has been utilized for fuel and torches.[1] Extracts from the roots and resin have been utilized as an expectorant via several species in the genus. In Florida, Sea Torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).[2][1] It is also known as candlewood and sea amyris, in addition to several common names.[1] The latter portion of its scientific name means "resin bearing" in Greek.[3]
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[edit] Description
Sea Torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 metres (13 to 39 ft).[1] The smooth, gray bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.[4] The species has a vertical branching habit. The species contains a weak taproot, although lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray via aging. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A 3 cm (1.2 in) petiole supports three to five leaflets with ovate, rhombic ovate, or lanceolate blades. The fragrant, globose drupes are black and contain a single brown seed. The pendulous foliage is aromatic. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife, including various species of birds.[3]
[edit] Ecology
Sea Torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.[4] Torchwood grows in a wide variety of soil textures, fertility, and pH levels. Torchwood can grow in soils underlain by sedimentary rock such as limestone, igneous rock, metamorphic rock, as well as coastal sand.[1] Sea Torchwood usually prefers well-drained sites,[4] although it tolerates 750 to 2,000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 in) of yearly precipitation in Puerto Rico.[1] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth to flowering and fruiting positions.[1] In Florida, Sea Torchwood is found along the east coast to Flagler County.[4][5]
[edit] Uses
Torchwood has been utilized for fences, fuel, and honey production.[1] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistant to dry wood termites, although it has not been extensively utilized because of its scarcity.[1] Texaline has been extracted from the plant; this oxazole has been an effective antibiotic against bioactive chemicals from Mycobacterium.[1]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amyris elemifera |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Francis, John K. "Amyris elemifera L." (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "Schaus swallowtail butterfly". Conservation Management Institute. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e504001.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b "Torchwood (Amyris elemifera)". School of Forest Resources and Conservation. University of Florida. http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Torchwood/torchwoo.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b c d "Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)". Natives for Your Neighborhood. Institute for Regional Conservation. http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Amyrelem. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ Wunderlin, Richard; Hansen, Bruce. "Amyris elemifera". Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. PlantAtlas.org. http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=3593. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
