Family: Rubiaceae

A member of the coffee family, alaheʻe has the classic family characteristics: opposite simple leaves and interpetiolar stipules. These trees can reach more than 30 feet tall and 20 feet in spread. They are relatively slow growing, but well worth the patience. Their glossy dark green leaves remain vibrant and shiny even in drought. Flowers are white, fragrant, and form in clusters. Dark purple or greenish-purple fruits follow. This tree is also known for its very hard, durable wood.

Habitat & Uses

Alaheʻe is indigenous across the main Hawaiian Islands and can be found from sea level to 4000 feet in elevation. This is a very adaptable plant, growing in shrublands and forests from dry to mesic and wet. The Hawaiian name alaheʻe means, ‘slippery like the squid or octopus.’ Hawaiians used alaheʻe wood to fashion spears for catching heʻe (octopus). Other uses include woodworking (tools, bowls, fishing gear), lei making, creating brown/black dyes, and traditional medicinal purposes.

Landscaping & Cultivation

It prefers dry conditions, but can tolerate moistness if the soil is well-drained. It looks and does best in full sun, which makes it an excellent xeriscape plant. Alaheʻe are desired for their showy white flowers, glossy green leaves, and delicious fragrance. They are a superb non-allergenic substitute for the physically similar mock orange. Not only that, but the alaheʻe grows in a radially symmetrical pattern, which makes it an attractive native species substitute for the typically imported Christmas pine tree. For hedges and screening purposes, space plants 3-6 feet apart.

Little maintenance is required. It will grow in both dry and wet areas, provided an appropriate trade-off of adequate drainage and regular water. This shrub can grow to 25 ft. and are very hardy when established. Although typically propagated by seed, boring insect pests sometimes infest the seeds, which reduces the possibility for reproduction, but not much else. Serious pests include the green coffee scale (Coccus viridis) and the black twig borer (Xylosandrus comapctus).

Name Origins

The ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi alaheʻe can also literally translate to “quick octopus,” linking this plant’s superiority for heʻe fishing. The genus Psydrax is derived from Greek for blister or bump in reference to the warty fruit and pimply seeds present within this genus. Odorata is Latin for fragrant like alaheʻe’s sweet smelling flowers.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Fragrant
• Hedge
• Lei flower
• Medicinal
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening
• Shade
• Specimen
• Windbreak
• Woodworking

Plant Dangers:

• Toxic to animals and humans