Colubrina oppositifolia

{{Speciesbox

|image = Starr 050407-6268 Colubrina oppositifolia.jpg

|status = CR

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref =

|status2 = G1

|status2_system = TNC

|status2_ref = {{cite web |title=Colubrina oppositifolia. NatureServe Explorer 2.0 |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.147025/Colubrina_oppositifolia |website=explorer.natureserve.org |access-date=18 January 2023}}

|genus = Colubrina

|species = oppositifolia

|authority = Brongn. ex H.Mann

}}

Colubrina oppositifolia, known as {{lang|haw|kauila}} in Hawaiian, is a rare species of flowering tree in the family Rhamnaceae endemic to Hawaii.

Description

This tree reaches a height of {{convert|5|-|13|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=1033 |title=Colubrina oppositifolia |work=CPC National Collection Plant Profiles |publisher=Center for Plant Conservation |accessdate=2009-11-13}} The trunk is coated in shredding gray-brown bark and the smaller twigs are reddish. The leaves are oppositely arranged and have pointed oval blades. The yellow-green flowers occur in clusters of 10 to 12. The fruit is a rounded capsule which is explosively dehiscent.[http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/col-oppo.htm Colubrina oppositifolia.] Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database, University of Hawaii, Manoa.

Distribution and habitat

It can be found in Hawaiian dry, coastal mesic, and mixed mesic forests at elevations of {{convert|240|-|920|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the islands of O{{okina}}ahu (Wai{{okina}}anae Range) and Hawai{{okina}}i (on the slopes of Kohala, Hualālai, and Mauna Loa). There is also one individual remaining on Maui.Bruegmann, M. M. & V. Caraway. (2003). [https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/30915/0 Colubrina oppositifolia]. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2010. [http://www.iucnredlist.org www.iucnredlist.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627094911/http://www.iucnredlist.org/ |date=June 27, 2014 }}. Retrieved on 14 February 2011. Associated plants include {{lang|haw|alahe{{okina}}e}} (Psydrax odorata) and {{lang|haw|{{okina}}ohe kukuluāe{{okina}}o}} (Reynoldsia sandwicensis).

Uses

Native Hawaiians valued the hard wood of C. oppositifolia and that of a related species, Alphitonia ponderosa, both of which were known as {{lang|haw|kauila}}. Consequently, the exact usage of C. oppositifolia wood is unknown. It is believed to have been used in {{lang|haw|pou}} (house posts), {{lang|haw|hohoa}} (round kapa beaters), {{lang|haw|{{okina}}i{{okina}}e kūkū}} (square kapa beaters), {{lang|haw|{{okina}}ō}} (harpoons), {{lang|haw|hi{{okina}}a kā {{okina}}upena}} (fishing net shuttles), {{lang|haw|ihe pahe{{okina}}e}} (javelins), {{lang|haw|pololū}} (spears), {{lang|haw|pāhoa}} (daggers), {{lang|haw|lā{{okina}}a pālau}} (clubs), leiomano (shark tooth clubs), {{lang|haw|{{okina}}ō{{okina}}ō}} (digging sticks), pieces for {{lang|haw|{{okina}}ume}} (a wand game), and {{lang|haw|{{okina}}ūkēkē}} (musical bows).{{cite web |url=http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=kauila_C |title=kauila, kauwila |work=Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database |publisher=Bernice P. Bishop Museum |accessdate=2009-11-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070503231005/http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=kauila_C |archive-date=2007-05-03 |url-status=dead }}

Conservation

This tree has become very rare in the wild. Once a dominant species of the forests it inhabits, it has now been reduced to no more than 300 wild individuals. Threats to the species have included introduced plant species, herbivory by feral pigs and goats, rats, and the black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus), an invasive insect. The hard wood made it valuable to people, who overharvested it. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.