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Melicope sessilis

(H.Lév.) T.G.Hartley & B.C.Stone (2001)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Sapindales Family: Rutaceae Genus: Melicope

alani, alani kuahiwi

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs up to 3 m tall, new growth hirsute, becoming glabrate.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite, crowded. Blades elliptic–oblanceolate, elliptic, or sometimes elliptic–ovate, 4–10 cm long, 2.5–6 cm wide. Apex acute to obtuse, sometimes slightly emarginate. Base cordate, sometimes weakly so. Upper surfaces glabrous; lower surfaces glabrate or midrib sometimes puberulent; blades chartaceous. Margins entire. Primary lateral veins usually 10–20 pairs, connected by an arched vein 1–3 mm from margin, venation pinnate, lateral veins connected by an arched submarginal vein, higher order venation forming a reticulate pattern. Petioles 2–5(–6) mm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers 1–3(–5) in slender, glabrous, axillary cymes, peduncles 3–10 (–20) mm long, pedicels filiform, 12–30 mm long, bracteoles minute, subulate, bracts small, opposite. Calyx of 4 sepals; sepals imbricate, staminate flowers with sepals ovate, ca. 4–4.5 mm long and 5 mm wide, glabrous, pistillate flowers with sepals deltate, ca. 2 mm long, glabrous. Corolla of 4 petals, valvate, staminate flowers petals greenish or reddish(?), deltate–ovate, ca. 10 mm long and 5 mm wide, glabrous, apex acute, pistillate flowers petals 5–6 mm long, glabrous, apex acute. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls, distinct, reduced but always present in functionally pistillate flowers. Ovary superior, 4-celled and 4-lobed, carpels connate, only slightly distinct at apex to almost entirely distinct; ovules 2 per cell, hemitropous, 1 ascending; style 1, terminating in 4 short stigmatic branches, pistillate flowers ovary glabrous or minutely puberulent; style slender, ca. 3 mm long.

Fruit: Capsules usually 20–40 mm wide; carpels connate ca. 1/6 their length; 10–20 mm long; exocarp glabrate; endocarp glabrous. the carpels dehiscing along the upper suture; exocarp. Seeds 2; 4–6 mm long. glossy black when ripe; crustaceous; ovoid; sometimes angled from compression; embryo straight in fleshy endosperm; radicle short; cotyledons compressed; ovate; putamen brown; warty.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Occurring in wet forest.

Elevation Range: 1,000–1,470 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Molokai Endemic
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Extirpated

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Allertonia 8: 288 (2001)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1199 (Mo [as Pelea parvifolia]); Hartley & Stone 1989:121 (Mo, EM, WM, NOMNOV, Syn. Pelea parvifolia = Melicope mauii); Herbst & Wagner 1999:32/Hartley 2001:288 (COMBNOV, Syn. Melicope mauii, nom. illeg. = Melicope sessilis); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:210 (H† [Volcano, 1918]); Rock s.n. BISH 579676 (H†, 1918)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Melicope sessilis unknown Preserved_Specimen BISH
2 Melicope sessilis Waikolu Valley, head, Pepeopae bog forest Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 2565 Molokai BISH 1938-07-11
3 Melicope sessilis trail to summit, Mt. Eke rain forest Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2372 Maui BISH 1927-08-28
4 Melicope sessilis Nature Conservancy Kamakou Reserve, East Molokai, general veg monitoring plot 2, .5 mile southwest of Papaala Pali Closed tall 5-15 meter Metrosideros and Cheirodendron. Understory Cheirodendron, Cibotium glaucum, and Melicope. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10093 Molokai BISH 1983-10-12
5 Melicope sessilis Lahaina, Honokahua, Puukukui trail wet ohia forest with native trees and shrub, treefern Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9493 Maui BISH 1980-08-16
6 Melicope sessilis East Maui, TNC's Waikamoi Preserve, Maile trail, above pipeline trail, 4991, Aspect: NW. Mesic Forest: Metrosideros, Acacia koa, Cheirodendron, Leptecophylla, Myrsine lessertiana, Melicope clusiifolia, Coprosma foliosa, Hydrangea argurta, Rubus hawaiiensis, Alyxia stellata, Diplazium sandwichianum, Cibotium glaucum, Cibotium menziesii, Sadleria cyatheoides, Dryopteris wallichiana, Dryopteris unidentata, Dryopteris fuscoatra, Sicyos cucumerinus, Smilax melastomifolia, Asplenium macraei, Phytolacca sandwicensis, Embelia pacifica, Sophora chrysophylla, Cyrtandra platyphylla, Pteris terminalis,Rubus glaucus, Rubus argutus, Hedychium gardnerianum Preserved_Specimen Pezzillo, Z. 445 Maui BISH 2023-04-26
7 Melicope sessilis Hana, SW Kipahulu Valley, near waterfall wet koa, ohia forest with native trees and shrubs, treefern Preserved_Specimen Pyle, P. 2880 Maui BISH 1980-07-22
8 Melicope sessilis Waikolu Valley, head, Hanalilolilo, pipe line trail wet woods Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12386 Molokai BISH 1932-12-21
9 Melicope sessilis Haelaau wooded ridge Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10224 Maui BISH 1930-02-06
10 Melicope sessilis Kamakou Preserve, forest between Kawela Gulch and road to Puu Kolekole cabin In closed Metrosideros forest with understory of Cheirodendron, Pelea clusiifolia, Gouldia and Myrsine. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 1096 Molokai BISH 1982-05-19
11 Melicope sessilis Puaahala, Kalapamoa ridge wet ohia, native trees and shrubs, treeferns Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 3865 Molokai BISH 1979-07-11
12 Melicope sessilis Hana, NE Haleakala, S fork of Kawaipapa Gulch wet ohia forest with native trees and shrub, exotic grass and shrub Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2925 Maui BISH 1980-07-28
13 Melicope sessilis Kamokou Presreve, Upper Kupaia Gulch, East Molokai Montane wet Metrosideros forest. Preserved_Specimen Pratt, L.W. 1978 Molokai BISH 1985-09-25
14 Melicope sessilis W. Maui, Kahakuloa NAR, north of Eke crater, east of Honokohau, wind swept ridge and steep slopes. Open bog community of Metrosideros polymorpha and Machaerina angustifolia and low canopy Metrosideros wet forest. W/ Broussaisia, Cheirodendron, Clermontia, Coprosma, Dubautia, Ilex, Melicope, Myrsine, and Psychotria. Preserved_Specimen Wood, K.R. 14769 Maui BISH 2011-09-01
15 Melicope sessilis Hana, N Haleakala, S Kuhiwa Gulch wet ohia forest with native trees and shrub, treefern Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2652 Maui BISH 1980-06-15
16 Melicope sessilis Honokowai Ahupuaa, West Maui, Puu Kukui Trail, along ridge running northeast between Amalu and Kahana Streams. Transect 36, Station 23. Wet ohia forest with other native trees and a native shrub-matted fern understory. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9490 Maui BISH 1980-08-16
17 Melicope sessilis Haelaau rain forest Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 95 Maui BISH 1928-12-19
18 Melicope sessilis Kamoku, N Pepeopae Bog Metrosideros, Cibotium Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4931 Molokai BISH 1983-08-01
19 Melicope sessilis East Maui, Hana District, Koolau FR, eastern headwaters of Waiokamilo Stream Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Broussaisia, Perrottetia, Ilex, Coprosma, Melicope, Kadua, Clermontia, Vaccinium, Smilax, Alyxia, Diplazium, Cibotium, Astelia, Dryopteris, Athyrium, Adenophorus, Pipturus, Peperomia. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 100722 Maui BISH 2007-10-24
20 Melicope sessilis East Maui, Makawao District, eastern Honomanu drainage basin Vegettion: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Melicope, Leptecophylla, Coprosma, Broussaisia, Ilex, Smilax, Cibotium, Sadleria, Athyrium, Diplazium, Clermontia, Kadua, Dicranopteris, Sticherus, Diplopterygium, Astelia, Uncinia, Elaphoglossum, Asplenium, Dryopteris, Vaccinium, Labordia, Nertera, Carex, Adenophorus, Peperomia, Tibouchina, Juncus, Axonopus Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 61215 Maui BISH 2012-06-26
21 Melicope sessilis Waikamoi rain forest Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 27583 Maui BISH 1961-07-02
22 Melicope sessilis West Maui, Haelaau-Kukui trail rain forest Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 112 Maui BISH 1928-12-18
23 Melicope sessilis ridge, Hanalilolilo to Pepeopae, Waikolu Valley, Kawela wet woods Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12599 Molokai BISH 1932-12-25
24 Melicope sessilis SW Kaunuohua Metrosideros, Coprosma, Myrsine, Cibotium Preserved_Specimen Anderson, S.J. 511 Molokai BISH 1982-05-20
25 Melicope sessilis Hanalilolilo trail, below Pepeopae Bog rain forest Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5413 Molokai BISH 1984-07-17
26 Melicope sessilis Makawao, Haiku Uka, NW Haleakala, W of Opana Gulch, Koolau FR wet koa, ohia forest with native trees and shrubs, treefern Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2747 Maui BISH 1980-06-29
27 Melicope sessilis below Kawela tunnel, 150 deg. S aspect Metrosideros, Dicranopteris, Sadleria pallida, Cibotium glaucum, Diplopterygium pinnatum, Styphelia tameiameiae, Scaevola chamissoniana, Paspalum conjugatum Preserved_Specimen Wood, K.R. 604 Molokai BISH 1991-02-26
28 Melicope sessilis Puu Alii, Pelekunu Valley rim, to Ohialele Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Coprosma, Clermontia pallida, Labordia, Pritchardia lowreyana, Sadleria, Cibotium, Hedyotis, Dubautia laxa, Ilex, Liparis, Myrsine, Melicope, Cyanea solenocalyx laxa, Ilex, Liparis, Myrsine, Melicope, Cyanea solenocalyx Preserved_Specimen Perlman, S. 10656 Molokai BISH 1989-01-23
29 Melicope sessilis Volcano region Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1918-07-01
30 Melicope sessilis East Maui, Ukulele, Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 8699 Maui BISH 1910-11-01
31 Melicope sessilis Kalaupapa; Puu Alii, 900 m S of state fence, E of Pelekunu ridge trail, ~50 m over ridge Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 705 Molokai BISH 2005-03-24
32 Melicope sessilis Kalaupapa National Historic Park.Puu Alii Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 403 Molokai BISH 2004-10-26
33 Melicope sessilis Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 173 Molokai BISH 1910-06-01
34 Melicope sessilis East Maui, Ukulele, above Olinda Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 165 Maui BISH 1910-07-01
35 Melicope sessilis West Maui, Honokawai gulch Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 8188 Maui BISH 1910-08-01
36 Melicope sessilis Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 173 Molokai BISH 1900-06-01
37 Melicope sessilis Olinda pipe line trail Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8560 Maui BISH 1927-06-27
38 Melicope sessilis Waikolu Valley, Kawela, ridge Hanalilolilo to Pepeopae Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12594 Molokai BISH 1932-12-25
39 Melicope sessilis Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 954 Maui BISH 1919-07-27
40 Melicope sessilis Mt. Eeka, above Lahaina Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Maui BISH
41 Melicope sessilis Maui Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8561 Maui BISH 1927-01-01
42 Melicope sessilis Mt. Eeka Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Maui BISH
43 Melicope sessilis Waikolu Valley, Kawela, ridge Hanalilolilo to Pepeopae Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12594 Molokai BISH 1932-12-25
44 Melicope sessilis Kamakou, trail from tunnel, E fork Kawela intake to Puu Kolekole Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5436 Molokai BISH 1984-07-18
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