Amyris elemifera
| Amyris elemifera | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Amyris |
| Species: | A. elemifera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amyris elemifera | |
Amyris elemifera is an evergreen[1] species of flowering plant in the citrus family, Rutaceae. Its common names include sea torchwood, smooth torchwood,[3] candlewood, sea amyris, tea, cuabilla, and bois chandelle.[4] It is native to Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is also known from northern South America.[3] The species name elemifera is from the Greek, meaning "resin bearing".[5]
Description
[edit]Sea torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 metres (13 to 39 ft).[4](Up to 50 feet high in ideal conditions[2]) The smooth, gray bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.[6] The species has a vertical branching habit. It has a weak taproot, but the lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray with age. The hanging foliage is fragrant. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A 3 cm (1.2 in) petiole supports three to five oval or lance-shaped leaflets.[5]
Ecology
[edit]Sea torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.[6] It tolerates many soil types, including soil over rock and coastal sand.[4] It grows in well-drained sites,[6] but it tolerates 750 to 2,000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 in) of yearly precipitation in Puerto Rico.[4] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth.[4]
Uses
[edit]This species has been used for fences, fuel, and honey production.[4] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistant to dry wood termites. It is too scarce for common use.[4] The plant has yielded taxaline, an oxazole with antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium.[4] The fragrant, globose drupe is black and contains a single brown seed. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife such as birds.[5] In Florida, Sea Torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).[7][4] Contrary to popular belief and unlike the implication of its name, Sea Torchwood possesses minimal tolerance to salinity.
References
[edit]
- ^ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2020). "Amyris elemifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T156771939A156771941. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T156771939A156771941.en. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ NatureServe (5 April 2024). "Amyris elemifera". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b Amyris elemifera. NatureServe. 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Francis, J. K. "Amyris elemifera L." (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b c "Torchwood (Amyris elemifera)". School of Forest Resources and Conservation. University of Florida. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ a b c "Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)". Natives for Your Neighborhood. Institute for Regional Conservation. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ^ "Schaus swallowtail butterfly". Conservation Management Institute. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Archived from the original on 2006-03-04. Retrieved 2007-12-03.