Hawaiian Name(s): kamani, kamanuScientific Name: Calophyllum inophyllum
Vernacular Name: Alexandrian laurel
Family: Clusiaceae
Status: Polynesian introduction
Authority: L.
Description: Tree 16-20 m.
Habitat Found in coastal and low elevation areas, most often cultuvated but occasionally naturalized (Wagner et al. 1990:540-542).
Medicines: The bark resin useful in treatment of ulcers (Rock 1913:311).
Non Medicinal Uses: Wood used for calabashes or poi bowls (Abbott 1992:87–89; Krauss 1993:22; Little & Skolmen 1987:196); Flowers smell like orange blossoms, used to scent kapa (Abbott 1992:57). Whistles made from kernels, extracted oil from the kernel used for oiling or waterproofing kapa (Kamehameha Schools 1994:14). Sometimes false kamani (tropical-almond, Terminalia catappa L.) used as post-contact substitute for woodworking (Little & Skolmen 1989:206). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there is a post-contact of the wood made into a bowl.
Specific gravity of wood: 0.6
Famous Locations:
Mele: "Ha‘iha‘i pua kamani pauku pua ki" line in "Makalapua" (Elbert & Mahoe 1970).
`Ōlelo Noeau:
Dye Color and Parts: Brownish mauve (fruit husk)
Kino lau:
Location on Bishop Museum Kalihi Campus:
Propagation Information:
Seed: Seed length approximately 25 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom.
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Microscopy
Cross Section: Field of view: 2.6 mm x 1.6 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom.
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Radial Section: Field of view: 2.6 mm x 1.6 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom.
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Tangential Section: Field of view: 2.6 mm x 1.6 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom.
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