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Syzygium malaccense

(L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry (1938)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Syzygium

‘ōhi‘a, ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai, malay apple, mountain apple

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 8–25 m tall, bark grayish brown, somewhat flaky, glabrous throughout.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades elliptic to oblong–obovate, 14–38 cm long, 5–20 cm wide. Apex short-acuminate. Base cuneate. Blades subcoriaceous. Margins entire. Principal lateral veins 8–15 pairs, 10–25 mm apart, submarginal vein sinuate. Petioles 0.8–1.5 cm long. Stipules vestigial or absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescence of axillary cymes 2–5 mm long on older branches and occasionally trunk; peduncles 0.5–1 cm long, bracts 1–1.5 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Hypanthium funnelform, 10–15 mm long. Calyx of 4 sepals 4, 2–4 mm long, persistent. Corolla of 4 petals, bright purplish red or rarely white, obovate–orbicular, 6–10 mm long. Stamens ca. 100; filaments red, 10–20 mm long. Ovary inferior, 2(–4)-celled, placentation axile; ovules numerous, spreading from placenta.

Fruit: Berries pink to red; turning maroon; rarely whitish; obovoid; 5–7 cm long; pericarp crisp; watery; 10–20 mm thick. Seeds usually 1; subglobose; 1.5–2 cm in diameter; seed coat fibrous; closely coherent to cotyledons.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat: Low elevation mesic to wet sites; primarily mesic valleys.

Elevation Range: 200–310 m (–550) m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Brown dye (inner bark of trunk, root), red dye (fruit skin)

  • Fruit eaten (Lucas 1982:58; Malo 1951:21). Used at hula altars (kuahu) (Emerson 1909:19). Dyes made from inner bark of trunk and root (brown) as well as the fruit skin (red) (Krauss 1993:66). Wood for posts, house rafters, and enclosures for heiau (Wagner et al. 1990:976), as well as being used for carved idols (Rock 1913:321).

  • The bark is pounded with salt and strained through a niu leaf sheath (coconut, Cocos nucifera) for a topical medicine for open and deep cuts. For ‘ea (thrush) and pa‘ao‘ao the bark, leaves, and leaf buds are combined with kukui flowers (Aleurites moluccana), flowers, leaf buds, and leaves of the hinahina ku kahakai (Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum), ‘aka‘akai ‘oliana bulbs (Allium cepa), leaves, leaf buds and flowers of the ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica), and kōhonua‘ula (red sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum),. The mixture is strained through the ‘ahu‘awa (Cyperus javanicus) and drunk. Foods suitable to consume while using this medicine are fish, lu‘au, kukui, ‘uala (sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas), and fresh poi. For hauna o ka waha (bad breath) and waha pala (coated mouth), the bark is combined with moa holokula (cf. Psilotum nudum) and kōkea (white sugarcane) (Chun 1994:225–226). The bark chewed for a sore throat. Leaves were crushed and ingested for bronchitis (Abbott 1992:101). It is a secondary ingredient in numerous other medications (see other plants)

CULTURE

  • [I] Ka ua ho‘opala ‘ōhi‘a. The rain that ripens the mountain apples. The rain that comes just as the mountain apple is beginning to ripen. [II] Nawele ka maka o Hinaulu‘ohi‘a. Pale is the face of Hinaulu‘ohi‘a. Said of the pink rim around the blossom end of the white mountain apple. Refers to the goddess Hina. [III] ‘Ō;hi‘a noho malu. Mountain apple in the shade. Said of a beautiful or handsome person, who is compared to a mountain apple that ripens to perfection in the shade. [IV] O Hinaia‘ele‘ele ka malama, ‘aluka ka pala a ka ‘ōhi‘a. Hinaia‘ele‘ele is the month when the mountain apples ripen everywhere.

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: J. Arnold Arbor. 19: 215 (1938)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:975 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:429 (KEY, DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Syzygium malaccense unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
2 Syzygium malaccense Papaiko HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/29/2010
3 Syzygium malaccense North Halawa Valley; BM Site # 50-0a-B1-86 Preserved_Specimen Woodward, L. 14 Oahu BISH 1992-12-14
4 Syzygium malaccense Punaluu Valley, N. side Koolau Mountains Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 557 Oahu BISH 1932-05-08
5 Syzygium malaccense Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 636 Oahu BISH 1851-01-01
6 Syzygium malaccense Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 97 Oahu BISH 1920-01-01
7 Syzygium malaccense Kapalama Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1933-03-25
8 Syzygium malaccense Moanalua Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1465 Oahu BISH 1910-03-07
9 Syzygium malaccense Kapalama Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-03-25
10 Syzygium malaccense Mapulehu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH 1910-04-01
11 Syzygium malaccense Kailua; 313 Kuukama Street Preserved_Specimen Hughes, E. Oahu BISH 1986-04-10
12 Syzygium malaccense Inside forest reserve, Kaluanui Valley Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
13 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Mountains; Makiki Valley; Makiki Valley Trail, just west of Moleka Stream Preserved_Specimen Ziegler, M.F. Oahu BISH 1987-05-28
14 Syzygium malaccense East Maui, Lower ditch trail Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. Maui BISH 1908-12-23
15 Syzygium malaccense Waimano ditch Preserved_Specimen Russ, G.W. Oahu BISH 1933-05-29
16 Syzygium malaccense Palama Forest Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1933-04-16
17 Syzygium malaccense Mapulehu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH 1910-04-01
18 Syzygium malaccense Haleakala, Kailua Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Maui BISH 1911-04-01
19 Syzygium malaccense Waianae Mountains, Makaleha Valley Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1929-01-14
20 Syzygium malaccense Kapalama Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-03-25
21 Syzygium malaccense Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 97 Oahu BISH 1920-01-01
22 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range, Koolauloa-Kaluanui, Sacred Falls Valley in E. malaccensis grove. Preserved_Specimen tree 11 m X 9 cm. Wilson, K.A. 138 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
23 Syzygium malaccense Oahu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7340 Oahu BISH 1927-02-20
24 Syzygium malaccense ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District, on the side of the Puna Trail Growing in the mauka side of the trail in full shadein a Psidium guajava thicket not far from the tree planting area. Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 17 Hawaii BISH 1979-04-16
25 Syzygium malaccense Kaumokunui Gulch Rich, dark wet gulch. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11887 Oahu BISH 1936-04-13
26 Syzygium malaccense Kapakahi Gulch Frequent at bottom of gulch. In koa zone. Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37421 Oahu BISH 1937-04-03
27 Syzygium malaccense Punaluu Valley In dark forest in wet ground at bottom of Pig God Trail. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7349 Oahu BISH 1932-09-02
28 Syzygium malaccense Puna: near Kupaahu In earthquake fissure. Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3005 Hawaii BISH 1959-07-02
29 Syzygium malaccense Hanalei District: Kalihi Wai River Valley, at c 1/2 mile SW of highway 56 near first waterfall Old secondary vegetation along flood plain with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Psidium, & Syzygium. Locally common, naturalized. Preserved_Specimen Small trees 5-6 m. by 6-8 cm., petioles red. Ramiflorous, the corolla and stamens deep pink. Lorence, D.H. 5148 Kauai BISH 1987-04-05
30 Syzygium malaccense Waianae Mountains; Puu Kaupakuhale, 2nd gulch E. of NE slope of Puu Kaala In woods. Preserved_Specimen Trees 7 m. tall. St.John, H. 13173 Oahu BISH 1933-05-14
31 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Mountains; Kipapa Gulch In moist gully. Preserved_Specimen 40 ft. tree. Hosaka, E.Y. 1037 Oahu BISH 1933-05-14
32 Syzygium malaccense Koloa Moist flood plain. Very common species with populations flowering profusely throughout trip route. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2182 Oahu BISH 1985-05-05
33 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Mountains, windward side, Waiahole Valley, along Waiahole ditch trail Very common. Dominant along some parts of trail. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5651 Oahu BISH 1986-04-05
34 Syzygium malaccense ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District Growing on the mauka side of the Puna Trail in full shade in a Psidium guajava thicket not far from the tree planting area. Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 17 Hawaii BISH 1979-04-16
35 Syzygium malaccense Punaluu Stream Bank. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10581 Oahu BISH 1930-09-28
36 Syzygium malaccense Waioli valley Along Stream. Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 m. in height. MacDaniels, L.H. 909 Kauai BISH 1927-02-27
37 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range, Koolauloa-Kaluanui, Sacred Falls Valley in E. malaccensis grove. Preserved_Specimen tree 11 m X 9 cm. Wilson, K.A. 138 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
38 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range; Koolauloa - Kaliuwaa; Sacred Falls Valley Growing in grove. Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 m. x 8 cm. Wilson, K.A. 137 Oahu BISH 1952-10-18
39 Syzygium malaccense Hauula Rocky ravine. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1568 Oahu BISH 1923-07-10
40 Syzygium malaccense Kalaupapa National Historical Park Waikolu on pumping station road near first pump; waikolu transit 1 w: Am-Pg(xg) Preserved_Specimen large tree,ocassional at lower elavations in disturbed areas Wysong, M.L. 735 Molokai BISH 2005-03-29
41 Syzygium malaccense Honolulu; Pauoa area, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ho, 2771 Booth Road Growing in partial shade. Preserved_Specimen A tree 4 m. tall. Cauliflorous flowering. Flowers magenta; odorless (morning). Lau, J. 2102 Oahu BISH 1986-03-09
42 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Mountains; Waiahole Ditch Trail In valleys. Preserved_Specimen Trees 40 feet tall; most flowers borne on stems. Stone, B.C. 1246 Oahu BISH 1955-04-29
43 Syzygium malaccense Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 2/25/2006
44 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range, Koolauloa-Kaluanui, Sacred Falls Valley Preserved_Specimen Sucker shoot 80 cm. high. Wilson, K.A. 139 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
45 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range; Waikane-Schofield Trail Rain forest, on side of trail. Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 46 Oahu BISH 1951-12-02
46 Syzygium malaccense East Maui, Hana District, 2.5 km W of Hana Hwy & Waikoloa Rd in the Kawaipapa area Preserved_Specimen Small tree to 4m. Annable, C.R. 3238 Maui BISH 1997-01-15
47 Syzygium malaccense Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Bears red apple-like fruits and red flowers on trunk and branches. Garber, D.W. 97 Oahu BISH 1920-01-01
48 Syzygium malaccense W Maui, 5 and a quarter miles NNW of Wailuku, along Highway 33 at Makamakaole Stream Preserved_Specimen Tree 25 feet in height; 8 inches diameter, filaments strong purple-red. Henrickson, J.S. 3867 Maui BISH 1969-07-13
49 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range; Koolauloa-Kaliuwaa; Sacred Falls Valley Preserved_Specimen Seedling and cotyledon. Wilson, K.A. 141 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
50 Syzygium malaccense Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 5/15/2011
51 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range; Sacred Falls Valley Preserved_Specimen Cotyledons. Wilson, K.A. 141 Oahu BISH
52 Syzygium malaccense Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 8/17/2013
53 Syzygium malaccense Lyon Arboretum; volunteer near Section 22, unaccessioned Preserved_Specimen Flowers deep pink cauliflorous. Tree 20 feet in height; 5 inches dbh. Fruits red when mature. Nagata, K.M. 524 Oahu BISH 1968-12-26
54 Syzygium malaccense unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 119 BISH 1864-01-01
55 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range; Koolauloa-Kaliuwaa; Sacred Falls Valley Preserved_Specimen Cotyldons Wilson, K.A. 141 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
56 Syzygium malaccense Koolau Range, Koolauloa-Kaluanui, Sacred Falls Valley Preserved_Specimen Sucker shoot 80 cm. high. Wilson, K.A. 139 Oahu BISH 1952-05-18
57 Syzygium malaccense Koloa Moist flood plain; very common species with populations flowering profusely throughout trip route. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2182 Oahu BISH 1985-05-05
58 Syzygium malaccense Honolulu; Foster Botanic Gardens Preserved_Specimen Buds, petals, calyx, stamens white. Skottsberg, C.J.F. Oahu BISH 1948-02-13
59 Syzygium malaccense Hilo Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 44 Hawaii BISH 1909-05-01
60 Syzygium malaccense Poipu, Koloa, HI 96756, USA UNKNOWN Bioversity International C. R. Annable Maui HAPI 1/15/1997
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