Photo 3676203, (c) tavita_togia2016, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by tavita_togia2016

Attribution © tavita_togia2016
some rights reserved
Uploaded by tavita_togia2016 tavita_togia2016
Source iNaturalist
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tavita_togia2016

Date

May 13, 2016

Description

Masame (Glochidion ramiflorum) is a member of the Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) family. It is a medium-sized tree up to 12 m or more in height with glabrous, often reddish stems; brown bark, furrowed and flaky with age, outer layer papery and thin when young, inner bark is dark red, cream-colored wood; alternate, glabrous leaves; axillary clusters of yellow, 6-lobed flowers; and wheel-shaped capsule splitting open to expose a ring of red seeds, 2 per section.
This tree is indigenous to the Samoan Archipelago and ranges from Vanuatu to the Marquesas. It occurs in primary and secondary forests, and has been reported from near sea level to 1400 m elevation. The timber is of mediocre quality and finds little use other than for house posts, firewood, and sometimes for handicrafts, and formerly for war clubs.

Reference:
Whistler, W. Arthur. 2004. Rainforest Trees of Samoa. Isle Botanica. Honolulu, HI.

Associated taxa
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