Amyris elemifera

Sea torchwood attains a maximum height of 4 to 12 metres (13 to 39 ft).[3] The smooth, gray bark matures into a rough and furrowed surface with plates. The wood is close-grained.[5] The species has a vertical branching habit. It has a weak taproot, but the lateral roots are stiff and strong. The yellow-gray twigs turn gray with age. The hanging foliage is fragrant. The compound leaves are opposite or sub-opposite. A 3 cm (1.2 in) petiole supports three to five oval or lance-shaped leaflets.[4]

Sea torchwood tolerates full sun to light shade. In Florida, it often grows along the edges of hammocks.[5] It tolerates many soil types, including soil over rock and coastal sand.[3] It grows in well-drained sites,[5] but it tolerates 750 to 2,000 mm (29.53 to 78.74 in) of yearly precipitation in Puerto Rico.[3] Young plants linger in the understory until gaps allow further growth.[3]

This species has been used for fences, fuel, and honey production.[3] The fine-grained, fragrant wood is resistant to dry wood termites. It is too scarce for common use.[3] The plant has yielded taxaline, an oxazole with antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium.[3]The fragrant, globose drupe is black and contains a single brown seed. The tiny, fragrant white flowers and fruit attract wildlife such as birds.[4] In Florida, sea torchwood is a food source for the endangered Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).[6][3]

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