Diospyros sandwicensis
| Lama (Diospyros sandwicensis) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diospyros sandwicensis [1] |
| Common names | Lama; Hawaiian ebony [2] |
| Genus | Diospyros [1] |
| Family | Ebenaceae [1] |
| Order | Ericales |
| Native habitat | Dry to moist Hawaiian forests, from near sea level to about 4,000 feet [3] |
| Habit | Small, slow-growing tree, generally up to 35 feet tall and 10 feet wide [3] |
| Fruit | Oval fruit about 3/4 inch across; ripe fruit is bright yellow to red, with orange flesh and 1–3 brown seeds [3] |
Lama (Diospyros sandwicensis) is a Hawaiian endemic tree in the ebony family, Ebenaceae. It is a small, slow-growing species associated with dry to moist forest habitats. [1][3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The tree is generally no more than 35 feet tall and 10 feet wide in the University of Hawaiʻi propagation account. Habitat descriptions encompass dry, coastal-mesic, mixed-mesic, and wet Hawaiian forests. [3][4]
Its oval fruits are about 3/4 inch across. As they ripen, the skin changes through bright yellow to red; the flesh is orange and encloses 1–3 brown seeds. [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Use a sharply draining medium, particularly for young plants. The Hawaiian dry-forest propagation compilation emphasizes drainage for lama and warns that it can never have enough drainage. Seed propagation guidance likewise specifies a well-drained medium with controlled moisture. [5][3]
A cultivation inference from lama's dry-to-moist forest range is to keep the root zone evenly attended during establishment without allowing stagnant wetness. Increase attention to drainage and airflow during wet periods rather than compensating for poor drainage with reduced watering. [3][5]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
For seedling establishment, the propagation guidance uses shade with managed moisture. A practical starting inference from the species' varied forest habitats is bright filtered light for young plants, with good airflow and gradual exposure to stronger light as growth permits; mature exposure should be treated as site-dependent rather than as a fixed sun requirement. [3][5]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Lama occurs across a dry-to-moist seasonal range rather than one uniform habitat. A cultivation inference is to maintain reliable moisture for young plants through dry weather while using the wetter part of the year to watch drainage, aeration, and seedling disease risk. [3][5]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed is the documented propagation route. Remove the fleshy material from ripe fruit and clean the seed before sowing. The University of Hawaiʻi account records optional soaking or scarification, shallow sowing, a well-drained medium, shade, and managed moisture; germination time and percentages vary among the recorded seed lots and treatments, so those observations should not be treated as a fixed schedule or rate. [3]
Use fresh seed whenever possible because viability is reported to decline rapidly after extraction. Keep emerging seedlings in an airy, well-drained environment and monitor them for fungal disease; the dry-forest propagation guidance also stresses moisture control, careful transplanting, and spacing for airflow. [3][5]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Ripe fruit is described as bright yellow to red, with orange flesh and 1–3 seeds. These color changes provide the practical visual cue for ripeness. [3]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is a small oval berry-like structure about 3/4 inch across, with orange flesh surrounding 1–3 brown seeds. [3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [4] Diospyros sandwicensis.