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Sapindus oahuensis

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Species of tree

Sapindus oahuensis
Conservation status

Vulnerable  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Sapindus
Species: S. oahuensis
Binomial name
Sapindus oahuensis
Hillebr. ex Radlk.
Synonyms

Sapindus lonomea H.St.John

Sapindus oahuensis is a species of tree in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is limited to Kauaʻi (Waimea Canyon) and Oʻahu (Waiʻanae and Koʻolau Ranges). Its common names include Āulu, Oahu soapberry, alulu, kaulu, and lonomea.

Fruits

It can be found in dry and moist forest habitat at elevations of 200 to 2000 feet.

Anatomy & Morphology

Āulu grows up to 18 m (59 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of 0.5 m (1.6 ft). It has alternately arranged, hairless leaves which have simple blades, unlike its congener, the wingless soapberry (S. saponaria), which has compound leaves. The leaves are somewhat thick and green with a yellow midvein. They are up to 15 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a panicle of many greenish yellow, bell-shaped male and female flowers. The fruit is a shiny, leathery berry roughly 2 centimeters long, containing one large black seed.

The inflorescence is a panicle of many greenish yellow, bell shaped male and female flowers. They bloom during the spring, summer, and winter. The flowers grow in clusters from the bases of the leaf stems . The fruit is a shiny, leathery berry roughly 2 cetimeters longs, containing one black seed. However, the fruits are not edible. The wood is hard and light brown with gray-to-white bark. Yellow-brown fuzz coats the younger branches . Balladyna velutina is a common fungus which grows on Sapindus oahunesis . This fungus appears as a powdery white mildew.

Distribution & Habitat

It can be found in dry and moist forest habitat at elevations of 200 to 2000 feet. It is possible that the Sapindus oahunesis arrived in Hawaiʻi by floating in the water because the fruit have trapped air pockets which allow them to float . Sapindus oahunesis tend to inhabit semi-deciduous forests that are dry.

Human & Cultural Significance

Early Hawaiians used the hard blackish seeds for medicinal purposes and to string permanent lei. The hardwood was used to make spears . Today this tree is used for itʻs fragrance, to provide privacy/shade, woodwork, or as a windbreak. It may also be used to wash hair or clothes by cutting up the fruits and mixing them with water . It is tolerant to drought and windy conditions. Sapindus oahunesis are also important in providing habitat for native bird species, such as the ʻelepaio .

Conservation

In 1998, Sapindus oahunesis was assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and was listed as Vulnerable under criteria A1ce. As of November 2024, it is considered imperiled/vulnerable .

Disease & Pests

The most common pests of the Sapindis oahunesis is the black twigboreers and false powderpost beeetles which bore into the wood. It is best to remove any dead branches to minimize their impact . Sometimes, the smaller leaves are chewed by Chinese rose beetles. It is recommended to hand pick the beetles off the plant every few weeks during the night time or trying rose beetle traps . Occasionally, whiteflies will infest the underside of the leaves, which may be treated with an at home insecticidal soap.

References

  1. "Sapindus oahuensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T31364A9622279. 1998. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T31364A9622279.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Sapindus oahuensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  3. "Sapindus oahuensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  4. ^ "Sapindus oahuensis Hillebrand (Sapindaceae)". National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  5. ^ Little, E. L. and R. G. Skolmen. Āulu, Sapindus oahuensis Hillebr. Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). Agriculture Handbook no. 679. USDA Forest Service, 1989.
  6. "Native Plants Hawaii - Viewing Plant : Sapindus oahuensis". nativeplants.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  7. "Sapindus oahuensis (Lonomea)". www.ctahr.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  8. "Native Hawaiian Garden (7722) - Lonomea". www.nativehawaiiangarden.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  9. "Lonomea". dlnr.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  10. Goos, R. D.; Uecker, F. A. (1992). "New Species and Additional Records of Fungi from Hawaii". Mycologia. 84 (3): 322–328. doi:10.2307/3760184. ISSN 0027-5514.
  11. "Native Hawaiian Garden (7722) - Lonomea". www.nativehawaiiangarden.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  12. Hatheway, William H. (1952). "Composition of Certain Native Dry Forests: Mokuleia, Oahu, T.H." Ecological Monographs. 22 (2): 153–168. doi:10.2307/1943515. ISSN 1557-7015.
  13. "Lonomea". dlnr.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  14. "Sapindus oahuensis". Plant Pono. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  15. "Native Hawaiian Garden (7722) - Lonomea". www.nativehawaiiangarden.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  16. "Native Plants Hawaii - Viewing Plant : Sapindus oahuensis". nativeplants.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  17. Vanderwerf, Eric A. (2009). "Importance of Nest Predation by Alien Rodents and Avian Poxvirus in Conservation of Oahu Elepaio". The Journal of Wildlife Management. 73 (5): 737–746. ISSN 0022-541X.
  18. "Sapnidus oahunesis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1 January 1998. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  19. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  20. "Native Hawaiian Garden (7722) - Lonomea". www.nativehawaiiangarden.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  21. "Native Plants Hawaii - Viewing Plant : Sapindus oahuensis". nativeplants.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-10.

External links

Taxon identifiers
Sapindus oahuensis


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