Sea Torchwood, Sea Amyris, Candlewood, Torchwood, Common Torchwood, Tea, Cuabilla

Sea Torchwood or Sea Amyris (Amyris elemifera) is a member of the family Rutaceae. It is a shrub, shrubby shrub or small to medium tree.<...Read Morebr />
Sea Amyris is native to coastal central and southern Florida and the Keys. It is also found growing in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Florida it is found on the east coast from Flagler County south through the Keys (zones 9a through 11).

The leaves are pointed and drooping. The widest area of the leaves is usually in the middle. They may be medium-sized to somewhat narrow.

The flowers are white and aromatic.

Sea Amyris is found growing in coastal hammocks and tropical hammocks on barrier islands and on the mainland near the sea. It also grows in the upper hammock and coastal strand or scrub closer to the ocean, as well as in rocky areas near the sea (often grows in rocky coastal situations in the Bahamas). It has a medium to high salt tolerance, but will usually not take direct salt exposure. It grows in full sun to light or medium shade. It may also grow in slightly deeper shade.

The name 'Torchwood' comes from the fact that the oil in the tree's wood, known as resin, was used for lighting torches and for the use of fuel.

Sea Amyris is very useful for wildlife. It provides food, shelter, and forage for wildlife. The small aromatic white flowers, which are in clusters, attract pollinating insects.

The berries are small to near-medium and are black or blue-purple or black-purple when ripe. They are green when not ripe. They are eaten by birds and other wildlife as a food source.

Another synonym of this species, aside from the five shown, is Amyris sylvatica Jacq.