- Amyris elemifera
taxobox
name = "Amyris elemifera"
regnum =Plantae
unranked_divisio =Angiosperms
unranked_classis =Eudicots
unranked_ordo =Rosids
ordo =Sapindales
familia =Rutaceae
genus = "Amyris "
species = "A. elemifera"
binomial = "Amyris elemifera"
binomial_authority = L.|Sea torchwood "(Amyris elemifera)" is a coastal
evergreen shrub or small tree. It is found in central and southernFlorida , the Bahamas, theCaribbean , and theCentral America n countries ofGuatemala ,Belize ,Honduras , andEl Salvador . Theresin ous wood has been utilized for fuel and torches.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] Extracts from the roots and resin have been utilized as an expectorant via severalspecies in thegenus . In Florida, sea torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' swallowtail "(Papilio aristodemus ponceanus)".cite web|author=Conservation Management Institute|url=http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e504001.htm|title=Schaus swallowtail butterfly|accessdate=2007-12-03] cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] It is also known as candlewood and sea amyris, in addition to several common names.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] The latter portion of its scientific name means "resin bearing" in Greek.cite web|author=University of Florida |url=http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Torchwood/torchwoo.htm|title=Torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=School of Forest Resources and Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03]Description
Torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 meters (13 to 39 feet).cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] The smooth, gray
bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.cite web|author=Natives for Your Neighborhood|url=http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Amyrelem|title=Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=Institute for Regional Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03] The species has a vertical branching habit. The species contains a weaktaproot , although lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray via aging. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A three-centimeter (1 inch) petiole supports three to five leaflets with ovate, rhombic ovate, or lanceolate blades. The fragrant, globose drupes are black; each fruit contains a single brown seed. The pendulous foliage is aromatic. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife, including various species of birds.cite web|author=University of Florida |url=http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Torchwood/torchwoo.htm|title=Torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=School of Forest Resources and Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03]Ecology
Torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.cite web|author=Natives For Your Neighborhood|url=http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Amyrelem|title=Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=Institute for Regional Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03] Torchwood grows in a wide variety of soil textures, fertility, and
pH levels. Torchwood grows onlimestone in the Bahamas, where it is found in rocky and sandy thickets near the coasts.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] Sea torchwood usually prefers well-drained sites,cite web|author=Natives For Your Neighborhood|url=http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Amyrelem|title=Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=Institute for Regional Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03] although it tolerates 750 to 2000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 inches) of yearly precipitation inPuerto Rico .cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth to flowering and fruiting positions.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] In Florida, sea torchwood is found along the east coast to Flagler County.cite web|author=Natives For Your Neighborhood|url=http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Amyrelem|title=Common torchwood (Amyris elemifera)|publisher=Institute for Regional Conservation|accessdate=2007-12-03] cite web|author=Dr. Richard Wunderlin and Dr. Bruce Hansen|url=http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=3593|title=Amyris elemifera|publisher=Institute for Systematic Botany: Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants|accessdate=2007-12-05]Uses
Torchwood has been utilized for fences, fuel, and
honey production.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistant to dry woodtermite s, although it has not been extensively utilized because of its scarcity.cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03] Texaline has been extracted from the plant; thisoxazole has been an effective antibiotic against bioactive chemicals fromMycobacterium .cite web|author=John K. Francis|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Amyris%20elemifera.pdf|title=Amyris elemifera L.|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=2007-12-03]References
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