Geniostoma sykesii

Geniostoma sykesii (also known as Ange, or Makatea Geniostoma[3]) is a species of flowering plant in the family Loganiaceae, endemic to the islands of Mangaia and Mitiaro in the Cook Islands.[1] It grows on makatea (uplifted fossilised coral) terrain. Its dried leaves are used in ‘ei (floral necklaces), and used to scent multiple products.[2]

Geniostoma sykesii
Herbarium specimen from Auckland War Memorial Museum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Loganiaceae
Genus: Geniostoma
Species:
G. sykesii
Binomial name
Geniostoma sykesii
Synonyms[2]

Makatea Geniostoma

Description

Geniostoma sykesii grows to around two metres high.[4] It is a small shrub. Its twigs are puberulent. The internodes are 1-4 centimetres long.[5] When it becomes ripe, it changes color from green to black. Its seeds are bright orange.[4]

Distribution

Geniostoma sykesii is endemic to Mangaia and Mitiaro, which are both located in the Cook Islands.[1] However, government studies have shown that the population of the plant is declining.[6]

Usage

Geniostoma sykesii has been commonly used for multiple reasons. It is mostly used to produce the scent of coconut oil,[2] perfume,[7] and garlands.[7]

References
  1. "Geniostoma sykesii". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  2. "Geniostoma sykesii". Bishop Museum. Honolulu, Hawaii. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. Goodwin, Sir F. (7 October 2008). "Environment (Mitiaro) Regulations 2008" (PDF). Parliament of the Cook Islands – via endangeredearth.com.
  4. "Natural Science Specimen - Geniostoma sykesii". Auckland Museum. Auckland, New Zealand.
  5. Fosberg, F. Raymond; Sachet, Marie-Helen (1981). "Geniostoma sykesii Fosberg & Sachet new species" (PDF). Polynesian Plant Studies (in Latin). Smithsonian Institution: 20.
  6. V. Kirch, Patrick (23 January 1996). "Late Holocene human-induced modifications to a central Polynesian island ecosystem". National Center for Biotechnology Information, United States National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Vol. 93, no. 11. University of California, Berkeley. pp. 5296–5300. doi:10.1073/pnas.93.11.5296. PMC 39239. PMID 8643569.
  7. Buse, Jasper (1995). Cook Islands Maori Dictionary. Canberra, Australia. p. 9. ISBN 9780728602304 – via Google Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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