Island nesoluma (Nesoluma polynesicum)

Also known as: Keahi
Synonyms: Chrysophyllum polynesicum
KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderEbenales
FamilySapotaceae
GenusNesoluma (1)
SizeHeight: up to 10 m (2)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

This easily identifiable, small evergreen grows up to 10 metres tall and about 25 centimetres in diameter (2). The leaves are broadly elliptical with a shiny green, hairless upper surface and rust-coloured hairs covering the lower surface (2) (3). The twigs are also covered with rust-coloured hairs, while the bark on the trunk is grey, rough and thick, becoming furrowed into rectangular plates, and the sap is milky (3). Many fragrant flowers are produced at the base of the leaves and the flowers (3). The dark purple or brown fruits of the island nesoluma are one to two centimetres long and look similar to olives (2) (3).

The island nesoluma inhabits a number of Pacific islands including the Cook Islands, Tubuai Island (French Polynesia) and the Hawaiian Islands (1). Subpopulations are known from the Tubuai Group, on Raivavae, Rurutu and Rapa, on all the main Hawaiian Islands with the exception of Niihau and Kahoolawe, and are thought to grow on Mauke in the Cook Islands (1).

Occurs in lowland dry forest, particularly on lava flows, generally between 130 to 640 metres above sea level (2).

The scented flowers of the island nesoluma are unisexual, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants (2). The olive-shaped fruits are produced in large numbers from May to September (3).

The main threat facing the island nesoluma is habitat loss and degradation from development and agriculture, especially trampling and grazing by goats and pigs (1) (4). Subpopulations on Raivavae and Rurutu are particularly vulnerable to local extinction and in Hawaii, the island nesoluma, which once formed a significant part of lowland dry forest, is now restricted to remaining patches of forest on lava flows and slopes that are less appealing for cultivation or grazing (1). A number of introduced species pose a threat to native Hawaiian plant species such as the island nesoluma. The introduction of rodents has resulted in a high level of seed predation (5), and aphids may also be having a profound impact through direct damage and through the transmission of disease (6).

Habitat conservation is the key to the survival of the island nesoluma (7). To date the success of planting cultivated plants in the wild has been limited (8). Hawaii has a number of protected areas where the island nesoluma grows, including the Kanaio Natural Area Reserve (NAR) (7) and Kuia NAR (4). As a whole, dryland forests in Hawaii are endangered and without careful management may completely disappear within the next few decades (7).

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

  1. IUCN Red List (January, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R. and Sohmer, S.H. (1999) Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press, USA.
  3. Little, E.L. and Skolmen, R.G. (2003) Agriculture Handbook no. 679: Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced). College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa. Available at:
    http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Nesoluma_polynesicum.pdf
  4. Natural Area Reserves System. (1989) Kuia Natural Area Reserve Management Plan. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii. Available at:
    http://www.dofaw.net/nars/files/kuiaplan.doc
  5. Chimera, C.G. (2004) Investigating Seed Dispersal and Seed Predation in a Hawaiian Dry Forest Community; Implications for Conservation and Management. Masters Thesis, University of Hawai’i.
  6. Messing, R.H., Tremblay, M.N., Mondor, E.B., Footit, R.G. and Pike, K.S. (2007) Invasive aphids attack native Hawaiian plants. Biological Invasions, 9(5): 601 - 607.
  7. Medeiros, A.C., Loope, L.L. and Chimera, C.G. (1993) Kanaio Natural Area Reserve Biological Inventory and Management. Natural Area Reserve System, Hawaii. Available at:
    http://www.dofaw.net/nars/files/kanaioplan.doc
  8. Luna, T. (2003) Native plant restoration on Hawaii. Native Plants, 2003: 22 - 36. Available at:
    http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/Content/Articles/4-1NPJ22-29-32-36.pdf