Alphitonia ponderosa is a species of flowering tree in the family Rhamnaceae, that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is locally known as kauila, as is the related Colubrina oppositifolia.

Description

Alphitonia ponderosa is a medium to large tree, reaching 15 – high with a trunk 20 - 60 cm in diameter.

Leaves

The alternate leaves are ovate, 5 - 15 cm long, and have 13 - 25 mm petioles. The leaves are shiny, hairless, and green on the top, but are a dull light green with rust-colored veins on the bottom.

Flowers

Flowers of A. ponderosa are polygamous and form cymes at the bases of leaves. They are 6 mm in diameter; the five sepals are 1.5 mm and cover five 0.75 mm petals.

Fruit

The fruit of A. ponderosa is a 15 mm diameter drupe, which contain two to three seeds. The seeds are shiny, oblong, and have a red covering.

Habitat

Alphitonia ponderosa inhabits dry, coastal mesic, and mixed mesic forests at elevations of 240 – on all main islands, but is rare except on Kauai. It grows as a shrub on exposed ridges.

Uses

The reddish-brown wood of A. ponderosa is highly prized for its beauty, strength, and density. It was used as a replacement for metal by the Native Hawaiians, who made laau melomelo (fishing lures), pāhoa (daggers), ihe (short spears), pololū (long spears), ōō (digging sticks), hohoa (round kapa, beaters) ie kūkū (square kapa beaters), leiomano (shark tooth clubs), and kii (tiki carvings) with it.

Conservation

Alphitonia ponderosa is considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN because of its fragmented distribution and declining population. Major threats include rats, pigs, deer, competition with introduced species of plants, and wildfire.