Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Forestry Program

Common Name: Shiny-leaved Canthium

Scientific Name: Psydrax odorata

Range/ Habitat: This species grows in dry shrubland and dry to moist forests at an elevation of up to 2700 ft. Alahe’e has been found on all the main Hawaiian islands except Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe.

Significance: Alahe’e was traditionally used to craft tools, create dark brown and black dyes, string lei, and medicinally to cleanse the blood. Today, this species is used as a substitute for mock orange.

Photos by Forest & Kim Starr.