Alexandrian Laurel, Kamani, Beauty Leaf

This tree is common throughout the Pacific where the lovely red wood from mature specimens is used for carvings and tableware. It superf...Read Moreicially resembles a rubber tree while young. But takes on a more sprawling form when mature (up to 60'). Highly resistant to salt, it can provide needed shade near the shore. Elevitch warns against planting too close to structures due to the spreading shallow roots which can damage slab foundations, as well as damage sidewalks/roads. Growth is rapid during early years. Mine has grown 2-3'/year. Water needs are moderate to high. Prefers a well drained soil, with sand being preferred. I'm not sure what it's tolerance to cold is, but I would suspect it does not take freezes, given it's low elevation/tropical profile. See "Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands" for more info.

As I understand (I may be mistaken, just got this information extra-officially), this plant is a hawaiian native that got very well adapt...Read Moreed to the brazilian climate, specially in coastal areas. Here in Rio de Janeiro there are a lot of these planted near the beaches, getting the salty mist from the sea directly.

This is a not fast growing tree, reaching up to 10m tall, but usually staying around 5. The leaves are shiny, kinda leathery, oposite, and has a white to cream colored sap. The inflorescence is a white stemmed panicle, bearing 5 to many more white flowers. There are 1in wide, white, with many yellow stamens and a very good scent (kinda reminds me of the smell of Bonnetias. The ovarium (hidden in the middle of the stamens) is red. These flowers come out in late spring and goes on through summer. The fruits are round, starting light green, becoming tan or yellow when ripe. They are said to be edible, but since the white sap of this plant can be poisonous - just like the seeds - I never tried them myself.

It goes well under full sun, high temperatures, regular watering and well drained fertile soils - even though it´s planted near the see, I don´t see it surviving on beach sand. It doesn´t mind wind, and I guess it needs some sea mist.