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 southern Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The resinous 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 several species in the genus. 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 weak taproot, 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 on limestone 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 in Puerto 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 wood termites, 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; this oxazole has been an effective antibiotic against bioactive chemicals from Mycobacterium.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