Psydrax odorata, known as alahee in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. It is native to the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and Australia.

Description

The species range from 6 - 30 ft in height, has a spread of 3 - 7 ft, and a trunk width of up to 4 in. The leaves are glossy green in colour, are up to 3.5 in long and elliptic. The fruits of the plant are quite round, are black in colour and 3/8 wide.

Ecology

The fruits produce many seeds which are often attacked by the larvae of Alucita objurgatella, a species of the many-plumed moths.

Habitat

The species can be found growing in dry shrub land and in dry to moist forests at elevations of up to 2700 ft.

Uses

Native Hawaiians used the very hard wood of alahee to make koi alahee (adzes for cutting softer woods such as Erythrina sandwicensis), ōō (digging sticks), and o (short spears). A black dye was made from the leaves.