Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Sapindales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
retusa
ID:
453563

Status:
valid

Authors:
(A.Gray) T.G.Hartley

Source:
cmp

Year:
2001

Citation Micro:
Allertonia 8: 169 (2001)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000452895

Common Names

  • Melicope retusa
  • Retusa Melicope
  • Retusa Pepper

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Synonyms

  • Jambolifera retusa Kuntze [unknown]
  • Melicope vaupelii Lauterb. [unknown]
  • Acronychia niueana St.John [unknown]
  • Acronychia retusa A.Gray [unknown]

Description

Melicope retusa (also called 'Kauila', among many other common names) is a small tree or shrub native to the Hawaiian Islands. It has a rounded crown, with a trunk up to 10 cm in diameter. Its leaves are simple, opposite, and oblong-ovate, with a serrated margin. It grows in dry to mesic forests, at elevations of 0-1,000 m.

Uses & Benefits

Melicope retusa is used in landscaping and as an ornamental plant, and is also used for erosion control and as a soil stabilizer.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Melicope retusa has small, white flowers and small, black seeds. The seedlings have two opposite, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Melicope retusa is a shrub that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -10°F (-23°C). It can be grown in containers or in the ground. To propagate by seed, sow in spring or early summer in a sunny location. To propagate by cuttings, take cuttings in spring or early summer and root them in moist soil.

Where to Find Melicope retusa

Melicope retusa can be found in wet forests on the Hawaiian Islands.

Melicope retusa FAQ

What is the scientific name of Melicope retusa?

Melicope retusa

What is the common name of Melicope retusa?

Kauwila

What is the natural habitat of Melicope retusa?

Dry to mesic forests

Species in the Melicope genus

Melicope spathulata, Melicope taveuniensis, Melicope tahitensis, Melicope sulcata, Melicope sudestica, Melicope suberosa, Melicope sterrophylla, Melicope seemannii, Melicope steenisii, Melicope sororia, Melicope simplex, Melicope sessilis, Melicope burttiana, Melicope stellulata, Melicope vinkii, Melicope vieillardii, Melicope versteeghii, Melicope tekaoensis, Melicope trachycarpa, Melicope timorensis, Melicope pubifolia, Melicope puberula, Melicope pseudoanisata, Melicope ponapensis, Melicope segregis, Melicope polyadenia, Melicope petiolaris, Melicope perryae, Melicope perlmanii, Melicope peninsularis, Melicope polybotrya, Melicope rigoensis, Melicope savaiensis, Melicope sandwicensis, Melicope rotundifolia, Melicope quadrangularis, Melicope robbinsii, Melicope ridsdalei, Melicope revoluta, Melicope retusa, Melicope reticulata, Melicope reflexa, Melicope ramuliflora, Melicope vitiflora, Melicope robusta, Melicope woitapensis, Melicope wawraeana, Melicope wailauensis, Melicope waialealae, Melicope volcanica,

Species in the Rutaceae family

Acmadenia alternifolia, Acmadenia argillophila, Acmadenia baileyensis, Acmadenia bodkinii, Acmadenia burchellii, Acmadenia candida, Acmadenia densifolia, Acmadenia faucitincta, Acmadenia flaccida, Acmadenia fruticosa, Acmadenia gracilis, Acmadenia heterophylla, Acmadenia kiwanensis, Acmadenia latifolia, Acmadenia laxa, Acmadenia macradenia, Acmadenia macropetala, Acmadenia maculata, Acmadenia matroosbergensis, Acmadenia mundiana, Acmadenia nivea, Acmadenia nivenii, Acmadenia obtusata, Acmadenia patentifolia, Acmadenia rourkeana, Acmadenia rupicola, Acmadenia sheilae, Acmadenia tenax, Acmadenia teretifolia, Acmadenia tetracarpellata, Acmadenia tetragona, Acmadenia trigona, Acmadenia tenax, Acmadenia argillophila, Acmadenia macradenia, Acmadenia teretifolia, Acmadenia wittebergensis, Acradenia euodiiformis, Acradenia frankliniae, Acronychia richards-beehleri, Acronychia aberrans, Acronychia acidula, Acronychia acronychioides, Acronychia acuminata, Acronychia arfakensis, Acronychia baeuerlenii, Acronychia brassii, Acronychia carrii, Acronychia cartilaginea, Acronychia chooreechillum,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2509950: Based on the initial data import
Asa Gray (1810-1888): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'A.Gray' in the authors string.
Thomas Gordon Hartley (1931-2016): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'T.G.Hartley' in the authors string.