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Lophostemon confertus

(R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh. (1982)

This name is accepted

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

brisbane box, brush box, vinegar tree

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees up to 20 m tall (in Hawaiʻi).

Stems: Bark pinkish brown, milky sap.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate, 4–5 in pseudoverticils at the ends of the branchlets, juvenile leaves opposite. Blades lanceolate, 8–20 cm long, 4–7 cm wide. Apex acuminate. Base cuneate. Surfaces glabrous; blades chartaceous. Margins entire. Petioles 1.5–3.5 cm long. Stipules vestigial or absent.

Flowers: Flowers 3–7 in axillary cymes subtended by bud scales or rarely by leaves. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Hypanthium well–developed above ovary, turbinate-campanulate. Calyx of 5 sepals, subulate, 4–5 mm long, caducous. Corolla of 5 petals. Stamens usually 70 or more per fascicle; filaments connate into fascicles opposite the petals; anthers dorsifixed, the connective gland–tipped; anthers dithecal. Ovary partly inferior, 3-celled, placentation axile; ovules numerous, anatropous; stigma capitate; style 4–5 mm long, terminal, simple.

Fruit: Capsules with loculicidal dehiscence; turbinate to hemispherical; 10–15 mm in diameter. Seeds linear–cuneate; embryos straight; 2–3 mm long.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Potentially Naturalizing
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Wind
Forestry

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Austral. J. Bot. 30: 424 (1982)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:963 (K?, O, Mo?, L?, M?, H? [widespread forestry planting, confirmed nat. only on O]); Oppenheimer 2004:14 (EM); Staples & Herbst 2005:417 (KEY), 431 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:28 (L); Oppenheimer 2010:37 (Mo)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Lophostemon confertus Koloa District, main cane rd to Kahili Mt Parkc ca 1mi n of HWY 50 Abandond Litchi plantation w. Eucalyptus rubusta and Lophostemon plantings. Preserved_Specimen Tree 10-12m ht x 45-50cm dbh, cushed lvs faintly aromatic, fruits grn. Lorence, D.H. 5141 Kauai BISH 1987-04-03
2 Lophostemon confertus Kawaihau District. Moloaa Chocolate and Coffee Farm, located south of Moloaa Beach. Several trees planted in a window next to coffee plantation. Preserved_Specimen Tree with straight trunk, at least 8 m tall; bark pale tan, readily peeling; leaves clustering at branch tips, dark green with a yellowish midrib, paler beneath; fruits gray-brown, woody. Brock, K. 883 Kauai BISH 2016-08-22
3 Lophostemon confertus Aiea Loop Trail, Koolau Mts Near head of trail in mixed planting w. Casuarina & Eucalyptus robusta. Preserved_Specimen Tree 25ft ht, w. strongly scented resin; lvs drk grn above, lighter below, only slightly aromatic, alternate or in whorls of 5 at branch tips; capsule 3 parted. Nagata, K.M. 913 Oahu BISH 1971-11-24
4 Lophostemon confertus Waahila Ridge, Koolau Mts; below Waahila Ridge State Recreational Area W/ Eucalyptus spp. and Syncarpia glomulifera also seen in the area Preserved_Specimen Tree, ca 4-5 m tall >100 trees seen Ross, M.C. 2097 Oahu BISH 2025-02-14
5 Lophostemon confertus Hii Flats In waste areas, degraded Dodonaea shrubland, and among old forestry plantings. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 50617 Lanai BISH 2006-05-11
6 Lophostemon confertus panaewa Arboretum, 5mi S of Hilo Preserved_Specimen Tree 60ft, 1ft diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31048 Hawaii BISH 1976-08-16
7 Lophostemon confertus Ahupuaa of Waimano. Central Koolau mountains. Growing in mesic forest dominated by exotic species such as Eucalyptus robusta, Corymbia citriodora, Psidium cattleianum, Ardisia elliptica, Schinus terebinthifolius, and others. Understory mostly Odontosoria chinensis, Miconia crenata, Lantana camara, Nephrolepis brownii, Blechnum appendiculatum, Oplismenus hirtellus, and others. Preserved_Specimen Huge tree over 10 m tall. Thomas, M.K. 750 Oahu BISH 2024-09-25
8 Lophostemon confertus peacock flats, N of Mokuleia Beach Park, Keaia Track Preserved_Specimen Tree c 7m lvs drk grn almost silvery white below; flowers white. van Royen, P. 10203 Oahu BISH 1968-02-18
9 Lophostemon confertus Waiohinu HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/10/2006
10 Lophostemon confertus Pukalani Preserved_Specimen Tree 50ft, 1.5ft diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31099 Maui BISH 1976-08-24
11 Lophostemon confertus UH Campus, St John Hall Preserved_Specimen A leaning tree 4m ht with a roundish crown; petals and stamens white; flowers moderately fragrant (afternoon). Lau, J. 2253 Oahu BISH 1986-04-15
12 Lophostemon confertus Peacock Flats HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 3/20/2009
13 Lophostemon confertus Paauilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 8/3/2015
14 Lophostemon confertus East Maui, Makawao District, Kahakapao drainage basin On ridge with Fraxinus, Pinus, Eucalyptus. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 60302 Maui BISH 2003-06-01
15 Lophostemon confertus Honolulu, Kapalama Hts, Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Tree. Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1933-04-15
16 Lophostemon confertus Peacock Flats HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 3/20/2009
17 Lophostemon confertus Wiliwilinui Ridge, Koko Head, mauka of haole koa zone Preserved_Specimen Tree 5m ht; no fls or fr; not reproducing. Egler, F.E. 3713 Oahu BISH 1937-06-15
18 Lophostemon confertus W Maui, Lahaina District, Honolua, at edge of unnamed gully between Honolua Valley and Kahauiki Gulch, adjacent to pineapple fields Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 60160 Maui BISH 2001-06-27
19 Lophostemon confertus Tantalus Preserved_Specimen Haughs, D. 2 Oahu BISH
20 Lophostemon confertus Paauilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 8/3/2015
21 Lophostemon confertus Kokee, Kumuwela, along Canyon Rim Trail Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 652 Kauai BISH 1983-09-17
22 Lophostemon confertus East Maui, Kula, along old hwy Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2833 Maui BISH 1987-06-05
23 Lophostemon confertus Honouliuli access road mauka of Kunia farm lots Old forestry plantings, hundreds of mature trees all life stages present. . Associates; Megathyrsus maximus, Schinus terebinthifolia, Aleurites moluccanus. Preserved_Specimen Flaky bark, leaves droopy *observed during drought* unsure if characteristic is reliable in wetter season. Lignotubor present. mature trees up to 20 m tall Arthur, K. 173 Oahu BISH 2025-09-08
24 Lophostemon confertus Tantalus Mt, E slopes Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. Oahu BISH 1962-05-08
25 Lophostemon confertus Aiea Trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. Oahu BISH 1945-06-18
26 Lophostemon confertus Honolulu, Kapalama Hts, Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-12-09
27 Lophostemon confertus Koolau Mts: Maunalaha Trail, Makiki Valley Preserved_Specimen Ziegler, M.F. Oahu BISH 1987-05-28
28 Lophostemon confertus Ulupalakua, East Maui, Makawao District Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. Maui BISH 1925-03-27
29 Lophostemon confertus Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1951-12-28
30 Lophostemon confertus Aiea; Keaiwa State park, near camping ground #1; Koolau Mountains Preserved_Specimen Ziegler, M.F. Oahu BISH 1987-06-10
31 Lophostemon confertus W Maui, Lahaina District, Honolua, at edge of unnamed gully between Honolua Valley and Kahauiki Gulch, adjacent to pineapple fields Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 60160 Maui BISH 2001-06-27
32 Lophostemon confertus Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. Oahu BISH 1920-05-01
33 Lophostemon confertus [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH
34 Lophostemon confertus WNW of Puu Kaeo, 102 m along 4WD road disturbed, along road, Metrosideros, Dicranopteris wet forest Preserved_Specimen trees Oppenheimer, H.L. 80830 Molokai BISH 2008-08-29
35 Lophostemon confertus Hauula Mesic ridge top full sun canopy tree. Associated; Psidium cattleianum, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia confusa, Metrosideros polymorpha, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Miconia crenata, Dicranopteris lineris, Leptecophylla tameiameiae. Preserved_Specimen Large tree, possible old planting, 30 m tall. ~60cm dbh. Bark at base black. Arthur, K. 26 Oahu BISH 2025-01-28
36 Lophostemon confertus Wailua Game Reserve, above Wailua Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite ore in 1958-60. Tree plot area; lovcalized fertilizer. Preserved_Specimen Tree of 10m; fruit grn. Howard, R.A. 20193 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
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