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Heliotropium arboreum

(Blanco) Mabb. (2017)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Boraginales Family: Heliotropiaceae Genus: Heliotropium

east indian velvetleaf, tahinu, tree heliotrope, tree heliotrope

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Small trees 1–5 m tall, often covered with firm unicellular hairs with a basal cystolith.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate but appearing whorled, fleshy. Blades oblanceolate to obovate, 10–20 cm long, 3.5–9 cm wide. Apex obtuse. Base attenuate. Surfaces densely silky pubescent. Margins usually entire. Sessile to petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in stiff, paniculate, scorpioid cymes that uncoil progressively as the flowers open, cymes usually 6–8 cm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), small, sessile. Calyx lobes oblong to orbicular, ca. 1.5 mm long, densely silky strigose. Corolla tubular, without scales in the throat, white, ca. 2.5–3.3 mm long, the tube short, 1.5–2 mm long, the lobes elliptic. Stamens slightly exserted; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 4-celled; ovules usually 4, 2 per carpel, eventually 1 per cell, sometimes fewer by abortion, anatropous, erect, ascending, or nearly horizontal, rarely pendulous; style 1, terminal, gynobasic arising from between the essentially distinct ovary lobes, with an annulus just below the stigma; stigma 2-lobed.

Fruit: Fruit white; drupaceous; fleshy; globose; ca. 4 mm in diameter; glabrous; sometimes with corky endocarp; an adaptation for floating. Seeds 1–4; endosperm absent or; if present; fleshy and scanty.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Naturalized and relatively common in coastal areas.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Naturalized
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
Manawai (Pearl & Hermes Atoll) Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Kapou(Lisianski Island) Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kamole(Laysan Island) Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Mabberley's Pl.-Book, ed. 4: 1101 (2017)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:398 (Ku, Mi, PH, Li, La, FF, Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, H [as Tournefortia argentea]); Staples & Herbst 2005:197 (KEY), 199 (DESCR); Craven 2005:379 (Syn. T. argentea = H. foertherianum); Mabberley 2017:1101 (Syn. H. foertherianum = H. arboreum)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Heliotropium arboreum Laysan One plant at beach crest ca. 200m. North of campsite. Preserved_Specimen 1.5 m. tall Lamoureux, C.H. 1700 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
2 Heliotropium arboreum Malaekahan State Recreation Area Assoc w. Leucaena, Terminalia & Panicum. Preserved_Specimen Tree to 3 meters. Annable, C.R. 3132 Oahu BISH 1996-11-11
3 Heliotropium arboreum Beach just south of mouth of Wailua River, eastern Kauai. With Scaevola, Casuarina in sand near shore. Preserved_Specimen Tree to 15 ft. high; leaves very succulent, brittle; flowers white; fruits green. Stern, W.L. 1353 Kauai BISH 1961-08-01
4 Heliotropium arboreum Growing in back of beach, Kaloko Growing in arid, sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Silver-leafed shrub about 9 ft. tall, with white flowers and fruit. Herbst, D.R. 760 Oahu BISH 1967-11-29
5 Heliotropium arboreum Lihue District. Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. In grass median between parking lot and slips. Preserved_Specimen Cultivated. Umbrella shaped tree of 15 ft.; leaves +/- glossy green olive green; peduncle pale green, inflorescence branches same; flower: corolla white, 5-lobed, fragrant (4:30 p). Flynn, T.W. 8886 Kauai BISH 2018-04-26
6 Heliotropium arboreum Kure Island yew trees j@ NW end of island Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1895 Kure Atoll BISH 1961-09-12
7 Heliotropium arboreum Kahuku, Oahu Beach free naturalized at Kahuku, Oahu. Plant cultivated in Degener Mokuleia garden seeding itself along beach. First tree O.D., saw was at Waikiki Aquarium in 1922 Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 35753 Oahu BISH 1978-11-01
8 Heliotropium arboreum Southeast Island Collected on southern side of the eastern part of the island Preserved_Specimen Small tree with silvery foliage, white flowers. Herbst, D.R. 6485 Pearl & Hermes Atoll BISH 1980-07-07
9 Heliotropium arboreum Tern Islet Very common along the south side of the island, especially the southeast quarter, Most appear to be about the same age. Preserved_Specimen Shrub or small tree 4 to 6 ft. tall, with silvery foliage and white flowers. Herbst, D.R. 6241 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1978-09-11
10 Heliotropium arboreum KaLae Paoo, Mahaulepu Sandy beach, sealevel Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 729 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
11 Heliotropium arboreum Inland, in mineral rich, damp soil. Preserved_Specimen Flowers are white, small and have a smell of slight green tea. Al-Bayer, S. Kure Atoll BISH 2019-01-21
12 Heliotropium arboreum Northeast part of the island at interface of bunchgrass association and beach. Preserved_Specimen Small tree with gray-green foliage, white flowers. Herbst, D.R. 6531 Laysan Island BISH 1980-07-14
13 Heliotropium arboreum Kapapa Islet, Kaneohe Bay Sandy Coral Soil, on raised reef. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall, leaves fleshy, flowers white. Fosberg, F.R. 14036 Oahu BISH 1937-06-06
14 Heliotropium arboreum Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Growing on a sand beach at the edge of the vegetation line; on a west central beach. About 9 living trees on west side close to camp site and sign and Casuarina tree. Preserved_Specimen Low tree or shrub (2.5 m tall). Conant, S. 172 Laysan Island BISH 1983-07-25
15 Heliotropium arboreum Kailua Beach, Kailua cultivated on beach Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 m. tall, fls, white. Fosberg, F.R. 13291 Oahu BISH 1936-09-26
16 Heliotropium arboreum Waialua, on lot owned byMrs.Laura Wilder Introduced, the species introduced at least 45 years ago, from Palmyra? (Guam trade) Preserved_Specimen wood of large trees is subject to decay and the trees become hollow. Judd Jr., A.F. 39 Oahu BISH 1925-12-06
17 Heliotropium arboreum Wailuku District, Beach NW Kahului Sandy flat Preserved_Specimen Bushy tree, 3 m tall. Flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 9832 Maui BISH 1933-08-17
18 Heliotropium arboreum Laysan One tree growing at head of NW beach. Preserved_Specimen Branches barren of original leaves with new foliage being produced at base of trunk and at the axils of the branches. Tsuda, R.T. 506 Laysan Island BISH 1963-12-08
19 Heliotropium arboreum Moanakai Rd, Kapaa near sealevel Preserved_Specimen Tree 12' tall w/broad crown of 15' across. Bark grayish brown, furrowed. Associated w/Casuarina, Scaevola taccada. Leaves spathulate, fleshy, silky tomentose,. Fls. Small, w/white petals. Inflorescences coiled. Ishikawa, S. 235 Kauai BISH 1973-04-13
20 Heliotropium arboreum Kahuku Coastal Plants Preserved_Specimen Herb with trailing stems, succ. leaves. Guinto, J. 8 Oahu BISH 1986-02-04
21 Heliotropium arboreum Kahuku; Turtle Bay Coastal Shorline. Sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Herb, trailing stem; succulent leaves. Sanchez, S. 3 Oahu BISH 1986-03-20
22 Heliotropium arboreum Near Poaiwa Near sandy shore Preserved_Specimen Simple tree Degener, O. 28608 Lanai BISH 1963-07-24
23 Heliotropium arboreum Queen's Beach Rocky, sandy coastal plain. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5342 Oahu BISH 1984-02-19
24 Heliotropium arboreum N Lanai, Beach Kaiolohia Bay, Growing in solitary groove along the beach Preserved_Specimen Tree to 3 meters; dbh 5. Leaves opposite, tufted at tips of branches; obovate; 19 cm by 6 cm ; canescent throughout. Peduncle suberect scorpioid cyme. Flowers small, numerous; sepals fleshy, persistant; corolla glabrous white. Spence, G. 303 Lanai BISH 1973-10-18
25 Heliotropium arboreum Strand, Hanauma Bay Growing in mixed stand with Thespesia populnea. Preserved_Specimen Shrubby trees. Leaves succulent. Corolla green at base, loves white, Crosby, M.R. 1551 Oahu BISH 1964-06-25
26 Heliotropium arboreum Kapapa Islet, Kaneohe Bay Raised coral reef with shallow, sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6131 Oahu BISH 1978-05-24
27 Heliotropium arboreum Near Kealia Planted along beaches, introduced. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 20 ft., 1 ft. diam., with broad rounded crown. Little Jr., E.L. 31183 Kauai BISH 1976-09-02
28 Heliotropium arboreum Laysan One plant at beach crest, ca. 200 m. North of campsite. Preserved_Specimen Plant 1.5 m. tall. Lamoureux, C.H. 1700 Laysan Island BISH 1961-09-05
29 Heliotropium arboreum Kona HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/29/2003
30 Heliotropium arboreum East central edge of island Preserved_Specimen Tree with gray-green foliage, white flowers. Herbst, D.R. 6497 Lisianski Island BISH 1980-07-07
31 Heliotropium arboreum Popoia Islet, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Uncommon. Small plants here and there, especially on margins. Starr, F. 5022311 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
32 Heliotropium arboreum Near end of Kalanianiole Hwy. Keaukaha Preserved_Specimen Tree 25' tall with crown to 30' broad along beach. Tree multi-trunked, 1 trunk dbh=18. Bark dk. brown, furrowed. Leaves spathulate, with silky tomentum above and below, semi-succulent. Inflorescences coiled, with small white flowers. Ishikawa, S. 222 Hawaii BISH 1973-01-12
33 Heliotropium arboreum Kau district. Along Halape beach same from the shelter Preserved_Specimen Medium spreading tree. Herat, T. 846 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-30
34 Heliotropium arboreum Tern Island Preserved_Specimen Cultivated or naturalized +/- abundant esp.on S. side Lamoureux, C.H. 1653 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1961-09-02
35 Heliotropium arboreum Kau district. Along Halape beach same distance from the shelter Preserved_Specimen Medium spreading tree. Herat, T. 846 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-30
36 Heliotropium arboreum Kekaha Kai State Park HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/27/2016
37 Heliotropium arboreum Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 479 Hawaii BISH 1864-01-01
38 Heliotropium arboreum Koolau Poko District, Mokapu Peninsula, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Kaneohe Bay. Wildlife Management Area Preserved_Specimen Small tree, foliage gray-green, flowers white, fruit waxy, pale cream color. Herbst, D.R. 9766 Oahu BISH 1996-05-23
39 Heliotropium arboreum west coast, central Preserved_Specimen Low tree, height 3 m., shoreline sandy soil. Conant, S. 193 Lisianski Island BISH 1983-08-08
40 Heliotropium arboreum Keauhou Preserved_Specimen A thick stemmed shrub three ft. tall. Fagerlund, G.O. 385 Hawaii BISH 1943-02-19
41 Heliotropium arboreum Along beach near Waialua Preserved_Specimen Small spreading tree., 1 ft. diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31225 Molokai BISH 1976-09-16
42 Heliotropium arboreum Wailuku District, found off Waiehu Beach Road Preserved_Specimen Crown to 30' wide, dbh 8, multi trunked. Associated w/Scaevola, Ipoemoea and patches of grass. Leaves large, fleshy, obovate-spathulate, covered w/silky hairs. Inflorescence of coiled pedicels. Flowers small, white. Ishikawa, S. 160 Maui BISH 1972-10-16
43 Heliotropium arboreum Burm Island, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6071 Oahu BISH 1978-04-30
44 Heliotropium arboreum Kona HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/23/2017
45 Heliotropium arboreum Waikiki Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 2515 Oahu BISH 1909-04-01
46 Heliotropium arboreum Beach 1/2 mile from Ewa Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Widely branching tree 3 m tall. Woolford, H.A. Oahu BISH 1956-10-02
47 Heliotropium arboreum Moomomi Beach Preserved_Specimen Spaulding III, P. Molokai BISH 1983-01-17
48 Heliotropium arboreum Honolulu, Kawaikui beach Park Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 7 m tall in full sun a few meters from the shore line. Flowers white; odorless (afternoon). Lau, J. 2142 Oahu BISH 1986-03-17
49 Heliotropium arboreum Small sand islet at inner north-west corner of triangle formed by seaplane runways, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1939 Oahu BISH 1971-06-13
50 Heliotropium arboreum Green Island Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6277 Kure Atoll BISH 1979-01-04
51 Heliotropium arboreum Mokuleia Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 12266 Oahu BISH 1937-06-01
52 Heliotropium arboreum Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10290 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
53 Heliotropium arboreum Kaohikaipu, Oahu on west end of island Preserved_Specimen Rare. One large tree on west end of island. Starr, F. 502246 Oahu BISH 2005-02-24
54 Heliotropium arboreum Mokuauia Islet, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Common on margins of island, especially along the soutern and eastern shores. Many of the trees looked dead. Starr, F. 5022225 Oahu BISH 2007-02-22
55 Heliotropium arboreum Honolulu, Iwilei, vacant lot; Preserved_Specimen Shrub 1.5 m tall; lvs. silvery green, somewhat fleshy; fls. white, fragrant. Fosberg, F.R. 27148 Oahu BISH 1946-10-31
56 Heliotropium arboreum Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 434 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
57 Heliotropium arboreum Kekaha Kai State Park HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/27/2016
58 Heliotropium arboreum Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1911-07-15
59 Heliotropium arboreum French Frigate Shoals Preserved_Specimen Rainwater, H.I. French Frigate Shoals BISH 1953-10-29
60 Heliotropium arboreum Kaaawa Preserved_Specimen McCantoria Oahu BISH 1958-10-06
61 Heliotropium arboreum W. Danford's, Kekaha, Kauai Preserved_Specimen Blackman, L.G. Kauai BISH
62 Heliotropium arboreum W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 17715 Maui BISH 1936-12-20
63 Heliotropium arboreum Kapapa Island Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 13 Oahu BISH 1946-06-08
64 Heliotropium arboreum Kapapa, Oahu Found on margins of islet. Preserved_Specimen Common. Starr, F. 5041849 Oahu BISH 2005-04-18
65 Heliotropium arboreum East Maui, Hana District, Kauiki, on the E side of Hana Bay Red sand beach Preserved_Specimen Tree of 15 ft. leaves gray-green. Petals five, white becoming yellow-green at base. Flynn, T.W. 2503 Maui BISH 1987-10-21
66 Heliotropium arboreum Kamalino, 1 mile N of Top of beach Preserved_Specimen Young tree 1.5 m. tall. St.John, H. 23610 Niihau BISH 1950-04-30
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