Psydrax odorata, known as alaheʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae.[1] It is native to the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and Australia.[2]
The species range from 6- in height, has a spread of 3-,[3] and a trunk width of up to 4inches.[4] The leaves are glossy green in colour, are up to long and elliptic. The fruits of the plant are quite round, are black in colour and 3/8 wide.[3]
The fruits produce many seeds which are often attacked by the larvae of Alucita objurgatella, a species of the many-plumed moths.[3]
The species can be found growing in dry shrub land and in dry to moist forests at elevations of up to 2700feet.[3]
Native Hawaiians used the very hard wood of alaheʻe to make koʻi alaheʻe (adzes for cutting softer woods such as Erythrina sandwicensis), ʻōʻō (digging sticks), and ʻo (short spears). A black dye was made from the leaves.[2]