Alectryon macrococcus

Alectryon macrococcus, known as ʻAlaʻalahua or Māhoe in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering tree in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.

Alectryon macrococcus
A. m. var. auwahiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Alectryon
Species:
A. macrococcus
Binomial name
Alectryon macrococcus

Alectryon macrococcus var. auwahiensis has been found growing naturally only (endemic) in Maui, where it grows in Hawaiian tropical dry forests on the south slope of Haleakalā at elevations of 360–1,070 m (1,180–3,510 ft).[2][3][4][5] It is threatened by habitat loss.

Alectryon macrococcus var. macrococcus inhabits mesic forests at elevations of 365–1,035 m (1,200–3,400 ft) on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi and western Maui.[4][5][6][7]

These trees can reach 11 m (36 ft) tall. Their leaves are each made up of oval-shaped, asymmetrical, net-veined leaflets. Variety auwahiensis has leaflets with rusty-red undersides.[8] The fruits contain a seed with a bright red aril. The arils are sweet-tasting and were food for native Hawaiians.[8] The seeds also attract rats, whose consumption of them prevents the plants of this endangered species from reproducing.[8] The black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) destroys the twigs.[9]

References
  1. Bruegmann, M. M.; Caraway, V. (30 April 2003). "Alectryon macrococcus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013, 2, online at www.iucnredlist.org. 30 April 2003. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  2. Bruegmann, M. M.; Caraway, V. (30 April 2003). "Alectryon macrococcus var. auwahiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013, 2, online at www.iucnredlist.org. 30 April 2003. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  3. "ʻAlaʻalahua, mahoe; Alectryon macrococcus var. auwahiensis" (PDF). Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. State of Hawaiʻi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-03. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  4. Linney, G. (1987). "Nomenclatural and taxonomic changes in Hawaiian Alectryon (Sapindaceae)". Pacific Science. 41 (1–4): 68–73. hdl:10125/1021.
  5. St John, H.; Frederick, L. (1949). "A Second Hawaiian Species of Alectryon (Sapindaceae): Hawaiian Plant Studies 17". Pacific Science. 3 (4): 296–301. hdl:10125/8938.
  6. Bruegmann, M. M.; Caraway, V. (30 April 2003). "Alectryon macrococcus var. macrococcus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013, 2, online at www.iucnredlist.org. 30 April 2003. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  7. "Taxon Summary: Alectryon macrococcus var. macrococcus" (PDF). Final Implementation Plan for Mākua Military Reservation, Island of Oʻahu. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  8. "Alectryon macrococcus var. auwahiensis". National Collection of Imperiled Plants - Plant Profiles. Center for Plant Conservation. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.
  9. "Comprehensive Report Species - Alectryon macrococcus". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 14 Dec 2013.

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