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Colubrina oppositifolia

Brongn. ex H.Mann (1867)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Rosales Family: Rhamnaceae Genus: Colubrina

kauila, kauwila

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 5–13 m tall.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite and decussate (pairs of leaves alternating 90 degrees between nodes). Blades ovate to ovate–elliptic, 6–12 cm long, 3–7 cm wide (up to ca. 20 cm long and 8.5 cm wide in seedlings). Apex acute to short-acuminate. Surfaces glabrous, dull, membranous; lower surfaces with 2 kinds of glands, small, submarginal, blackish ones and a peculiar gland-like proliferation in the axil of each secondary vein. Margins entire. Pinnately veined. Petioles 1.4–3 cm long (up to 4.5 cm long in seedlings). Stipules of each pair of leaves connate into a lanceolate structure, dark pigmented, 6–8 mm long, caducous, leaving a prominent whitish scar.

Flowers: Flowers 10–12 in thyrses 10–15 mm long, peduncles 3–8 mm long, pedicels ca. 2–3 mm long, elongating to 6–13 mm long in fruit. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Calyx of 5 sepals, deltate, ca. 1.5–2 mm long, valvate in bud. Corolla of 5 petals, ca. 1.5 mm long; style short, 3-lobed. Stamens 5, opposite the petals; filaments distinct, adnate to base of petals; anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary partly inferior, 3-celled; ovules 1 per cell, basal and erect, anatropous; style 3-lobed.

Fruit: Fruit drupaceous; broadly subglobose; 8–11 mm long; explosively dehiscent along the ventral; axile; and longitudinal sutures. Seeds oblong–obovoid; 6–8 mm long; base shallowly notched; seed coat thick and bony.

Ploidy: 2n = 48

Habitat: Dry to mesic forest.

Elevation Range: 240–920 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • There are two trees from the Rhamnaceae family that are both called kauila (Alphitonia ponderosa and Colubrina oppositifolia). In the ethnographic literature and the Bishop Museum ethnology collection it is usually unclear which of the two is actually represented. Therefore it is not certain which of the species may actually be represented in some of the information and images that follow. Kauila wood was used for many purposes, including as house beams; kapa beaters (i‘e kuku and hohoa) (Krauss 1993:61,63,69); fishing spears (kao or ‘o) and netting needle or shuttle (hi‘a ka ‘upena) (Krauss 1993:34,35,45), javelins (darts, ihe pahe‘e or pahe‘e) & spears (long spear or pololu); daggers (pahoa); clubs & shark-tooth clubs (Krauss 1993:94–97, 106–111); ‘o‘o (digging stick) (Krauss 1993:25); guessing games pieces (polished sticks hidden in hands), heavy base used in "wand game" (‘ume or pili) (Krauss 1993:92–93); ‘ukeke (musical bow); it was the preferred wood to repair wooden bowls (small pegs hammered in) (Krauss 1993:80, 85). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there is a post-contact example of the wood made into a bowl and one of Kamehameka I's spears is said to have been reworked into this cane. Additional collections items of kauila are pestles and an amulet.

  • O'o - agricultural tool

CULTURE

  • The Kauila Trees of Maunaloa The gods of the forest, distrubed by loudness, had changed the noisy crowd into a grove of kauila trees which would whisper in the wind but never shout aloud (Pukui & Curtis 1951:179).

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • The fruit of Colubrina oppositifolia is a almost round capsule 1/2 inch in diameter. The capsule has 3 parts and there are generally several seeds in each capsule. The dark brown to black oval seeds can be up to 1/4 inch long. The fruits ripen from late spring through early fall. The capsule opens explosively when it is mature. Culliney advises that full-sized fruits that have not completely dried and are still greenish-brown often contain more viable seeds than completely mature capsules. These not-quite-mature fruits should be ripened in a dry location free from insects for a few weeks. The seeds can be extracted after this process.
  • In his germination studies, Obata found that untreated seeds of Colubrina oppositifolia had germination rates ranging from 5 to 30%. Culliney notes that some individual trees do not produce viable seeds. These seeds do not contain an embryo.
  • Stratton's survey respondents had three pre-treatment recommendations. The first was to soak the seeds for 3 days in tap water. Soaked seeds germinated in 2 weeks to 2 months with a 65% germination rate. The second treatment was scarification with a clippers or file. Scarified seeds germinated about 5 days sooner than soaked seeds and also had a 65% germination rate. The third treatment was to soak the seeds in 170 degree F water for 24 hours. These seeds germinated in 2 weeks to 2 months with a 40% germination rate. Untreated seeds took 3 weeks to 3 months to germinate with a 40% germination rate. If a soaking pre-treatment is used, discard any seeds that float.
  • Lilleeng-Rosenberger's notes show similar findings. Fresh seed which had been soaked for 36 hours in cold water germinated in 2 to 4 weeks and had 59% germination. Scarified seeds also germinated in 2 to 4 weeks and had 80% germination. Culliney et al suggests soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours though their reported germination percentage ranges from 25% to 75%.
  • Seeds should be planted in a shallow container in a well-draining medium such as a mixture of 3 parts #2 perlite to 1 part Sunshine Mix #4 or a mix of 4 parts cinder to 1 part soil; Culliney recommends 100% vermiculite. The planting medium should be keep moist until germination and the containers should be kept in a covered shaded area for better control of moisture levels in medium. Seeds germinate in 2 to 4 weeks.
  • According to Stratton's survey, Colubrina oppositifolia roots grow slowly and the seedling may benefit from a foliar application of phosphorus. Koebele reports that powdered sulfur can successfully be used to control fungal diseases on Colubrina oppositifolia seedlings.
  • To store seeds of Colubrina oppositifolia, remove them from the capsules and keep them dry. Store them in a paper container in a cool, dry (relative humidity 25%) location. Stratton recommends storage in an airtight container with desiccant. However, Lilleeng-Rosenberger's notes indicate that seeds stored for 2 months at 80 degrees F and 25% relative humidity experienced a decrease in viability. Only 30% to 35% of these seeds germinated even when treated. (Culliney 1999; Koebele 1999; Lilleeng-Rosenberger 1996; Obata 1967; Stratton 1998) [Data from Herring, E. C., & Criley, R. A. (2003). The Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Web Site: Developing a Webbased Information Resource. HortTechnology, 13(3), 545-548. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/]

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Endemic
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • Abbott indicates confusion between this tool and Alphitonia ponderosa since both are called kauila

Bibliography

Name Published In: Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 7: 161 (1867)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1094 (O, H); Lau 1995:10 (WM)

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.xx

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Associated primarily with Diospyros, some Mezoneuron, Sapindus, and Osmanthus; Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 85567 Oahu BISH 1985-07-07
2 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Lava flow near Mezoneuron. Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 14014 Hawaii BISH 1968-06-30
3 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In arid forest on aa lava flows. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3901 Hawaii BISH 1930-01-18
4 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Open bog, dry a'a', native forest at 1950 ft. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2995 Hawaii BISH 1973-05-03
5 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details growing on a'a lava with Erythrina, Metrosideros, Xylosma, Lantana. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1589 Hawaii BISH 1970-02-22
6 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Cultivated area. Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 10679 Kauai BISH 2017-02-08
7 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On pahoehoe substrate with scattered Diospyros, Planchonella and Pleomele with dense fountain grass. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 672 Hawaii BISH 1982-03-16
8 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry open forest on aa lava. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22523 Hawaii BISH 1947-01-03
9 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On `a`a lava in dry forest area, with Diospyros ferrea ssp. sandwicensis, Nothocestrum breviflorum, Erythrina sandwicensis, Pleomele (Dracaena) aurea, Planchonella sandwicensis. Preserved_Specimen Carlquist, S. 2086 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-29
10 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Common in dry forested gulch. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25571 Oahu BISH 1955-07-17
11 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On steep dry substrate, among Diospyros, Eugenia, Canthium, and Sapindus, and in a fairly open understory. Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 278 Oahu BISH 1975-02-17
12 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Occasional on steep slope in scrubby forest Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 33263 Oahu BISH 1951-02-04
13 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On dry aa lava. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1180 Hawaii BISH 1968-07-01
14 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On steep slope Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5250 Oahu BISH 1975-03-09
15 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Barren aa desert. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3345 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-18
16 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Occasional in dryland scrub forest, broad sclerophyll, not spiny. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 59513 Hawaii BISH 1980-03-08
17 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Tree-covered aa lava kipuka. Arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8735 Hawaii BISH 1929-09-09
18 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details A community codominant in canopy-intact dryland forest, habitat densely infested with fountain grass. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3410 Hawaii BISH 1987-02-11
19 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Open forest on `a`a lava, with Diospyros, Gouania, Canthium. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25479 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-28
20 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On side of gulch with Lantana-Ipomoea congesta association. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 2610 Hawaii BISH 1983-02-13
21 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In aa desert. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3346 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-08
22 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Solitary tree, festooned with Cassytha. Old `a`a flow in remnant Diospyros-Canthium stand with abundant Lantana & Schinus. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 2776 Hawaii BISH 1984-01-07
23 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Open forest on aa lava, with Diospyros, Gouania, Canthium. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25479 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-28
24 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry sunny ridge in guava zone scrub. Preserved_Specimen Hatheway, W.H. 124 Oahu BISH 1950-07-02
25 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry slope forest, with Mezoneuron and Reynoldsia. Preserved_Specimen Hatheway, W.H. 382 Oahu BISH 1950-09-30
26 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details A community codominant in canopy-intact dryland forest, habitat densely infested with fountain grass. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3410 Hawaii BISH 1987-02-11
27 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Occasional in dry open forest on aa lava slope. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 41727 Hawaii BISH 1961-03-24
28 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry. Associated species: Lantana, mullein, lama. Preserved_Specimen Montgomery, S.L. 25 Hawaii BISH 1971-07-03
29 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On pahoehoe substrate with scattered Diospyros, Planchonella and Pleomele. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 672 Hawaii BISH 1982-03-16
30 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In aa desert. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3682 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-20
31 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Open field. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 10170 Hawaii BISH 1933-09-03
32 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Still common on lava flows. Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1955-12-09
33 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In old aa flow with Pennisetum, Diospyros & Lantana. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 1749 Hawaii BISH 1978-07-28
34 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Rough lava. Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 305 Hawaii BISH 1926-12-01
35 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Open forest on aa lava, with Diospyros, Gouania, Canthium. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25479 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-28
36 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On steep dry substrate, among Diospyros, Eugenia, Canthium, and Sapindus, and in a fairly open understory. Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 278 Oahu BISH 1975-02-17
37 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Tree-covered aa lava kipuka. Arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8736 Hawaii BISH 1929-09-10
38 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Lava fields. Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 3217 Hawaii BISH 1938-09-11
39 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Remnant of dry forest with Diospyros sandwicensis dominant, also Colubrina, Canthium, Nototrichium, etc. with understory of introduced Pennisetum setaceum, over recent (1801) aa lava flow. Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5485 Hawaii BISH 1987-08-06
40 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry mixed native tree community with an exotic grass and native and exotic shrub u/s. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2085 Hawaii BISH 1978-08-09
41 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry forest, part of a kipuka, growing adjacent to the Kaupuleho Lava Flow; a'a lava. Preserved_Specimen Stern, W.L. 3122 Hawaii BISH 1974-03-28
42 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 3529 Hawaii BISH 1909-06-06
43 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10093 Hawaii BISH 1912-02-01
44 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 689 Hawaii BISH 1922-09-26
45 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 1957 Hawaii BISH 1926-09-26
46 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 773 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-01
47 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 20821 Oahu BISH 1950-07-02
48 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Obata, J.K. 278 Oahu BISH 1975-02-17
49 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 581 Hawaii BISH 1851-01-01
50 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Russ, G.W. Oahu BISH 1932-06-01
51 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3345 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-18
52 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1282 Hawaii BISH 1985-10-15
53 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 2 Oahu BISH 1954-05-14
54 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10092 Hawaii BISH 1912-01-01
55 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 13014 Hawaii BISH 1917-08-01
56 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10092 Hawaii BISH 1912-01-01
57 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10092 Hawaii BISH 1912-01-01
58 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1929-02-07
59 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Russ, G.W. Oahu BISH 1932-07-01
60 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Hawaii BISH 1956-12-28
61 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Oahu BISH 1958-01-01
62 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Swezey, O.H. Hawaii BISH 1934-07-30
63 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Hawaii BISH 1956-12-28
64 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3346 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-18
65 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 20 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-08
66 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 22 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-08
67 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 11339 Hawaii BISH 1931-12-26
68 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 3529 Hawaii BISH 1909-06-06
69 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10092 Hawaii BISH 1912-01-01
70 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1301 Hawaii BISH 1985-10-16
71 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Gillett, G.W. 1965 Hawaii BISH 1966-09-02
72 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Williams, J. 114 Hawaii BISH 1982-01-01
73 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 20821 Oahu BISH 1950-07-02
74 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5297 Hawaii BISH 1984-02-28
75 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing with Diospyros, Metrosideros, Xylosma, on dry aa lava. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1478 Hawaii BISH 1970-01-04
76 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Korte, K.H. Oahu BISH 1954-06-01
77 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1912-04-26
78 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Russ, G.W. Oahu BISH 1932-06-01
79 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Hawaii BISH 1956-12-28
80 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In assoc. w/ Diospyros-Dracaena dry foreat with Lantana underbrush. Preserved_Specimen Spence, G. 19 Hawaii BISH 1972-02-06
81 Colubrina oppositifolia Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In arid forest on aa lava flow. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8737 Hawaii BISH 1930-01-20
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