Endospermum myrmecophilum

Endospermum myrmecophilum, commonly known as the whitewood, is a dioecious plant that grows in the tropical islands. It grows in tropical humid climates. The species is well known for timber.

Endospermum myrmecophilum
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Euphorbiaceae
Genus:	Endospermum
Species:	E. myrmecophilum
Binomial name
Endospermum myrmecophilum L.S.Sm.

It was formerly known as Endospermum medullosum.

Distribution

Endospermum myrmecophilum grows naturally in the tropical islands including New Guinea, Indonesia's Maluku Islands west of New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, and Santa Cruz Islands which are east of New Guinea. The tree is also native to Vanuatu, an island chain southeast of the Solomons and east-northeast of Australia, in Black Jungle Conservation Reserve, Channel Point, Reynolds River and Melville Island in the Northern Territory.

Habitat and ecology

Endospermum grows in humid lowland tropical climates where the temperature averages 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), with a mean rainfall of 1.5–5.6 metres (60–220 in) annually. The species can grow in a variety of soil including soil that has been deposited by water flow next to rivers. Typically the plant grows in acidic to neutral soil. Additionally, the species grows in swamps.

Growth

The tree can grow up to 2.5–3 metres (8–10 ft) for the first couple of years and it is important the species has enough space to grow to maintain this growth rate. Under optimal conditions the fruits of the plant appear in the first 3–4 years. Endospermum myrmecophilum has limited tolerance to various environmental conditions. These conditions include drought, shade, high wind speeds, and salt spray. Since the species did not evolve in these environments, growth under these conditions will be limited. The tree can grow fairly quickly in locations that are sunny.

Morphology

The tree is generally 20–40 metres (70–130 ft) tall and typically grows no more than 54 metres (180 ft). The trunk of the tree, also known as the bole, is usually straight, though in some leaves, leaning occurs. The bole has a general height of 10–24 metres (30–80 ft). The roots that grow on the sides of the tree, known as buttresses may grow up to 1m. The inner bark of the species is yellow to brown in color where the outer bark is pale brown to yellow in color. In its mature form, the crown of the tree that includes the above ground parts have an umbrella form, with immense branches that grow horizontally. The leaves of this plant are 8–25 centimetres (3–10 in) long and green in color. The leaves are arranged in clusters and are hairy.

Flowers and fruit

Endospermum myrmecophilum is dioecious, i.e., each tree has either male or female flowers, and therefore cannot self-fertilize. The flowers are generally small and are greenish white in color. The inflorescence type is a raceme.

The flowers lack petals. The male flowers generally have 5 to 12 stamens with sepals that are cup-shaped. The female flowers lack a style, and have one locule, the compartment in the ovary that contains the ovules. The number of locules varies within different species in the genus; hence, this the best way to distinguish the medullosum species. The fruits of the species in the genus are berry-like, or baccate. The fruit contains a single brownish-black seed that is approximately 6 mm in length. The fruits are a common source of food for birds.

Propagation

Endospermum myrmecophilum can be propagated from seeds as well as vegetative cuttings. With seed propagation, seeds should be collected quickly when they mature and planted within a few days. The seeds should be collected when the fruits go from dark green to light green. Usually 9,000 to 9,600 fruits produce 30,000 to 35,000 seeds. The species has low seed viability; therefore it is beneficial to raise the plant from cuttings. These cuttings are usually taken from hedges in misty conditions.

Uses

There are many uses of Endospermum myrmecophilum. The whitewood is commonly used for canoes and can also be used for firewood. However the main use of the wood is for timber. It is highly priced in Japan, where it is widely selected. Whitewood timber is commonly used for furniture, shingles, moldings as well as other decorative purposes in the islands. The whitewood is efficient for such uses since it has even texture and dries fairly quickly.

The immature leaves of this species are often utilized as a vegetable.

The plant also has medicinal uses; in Vanuatu the bark is used to treat rheumatism and is also used to relieve stomachaches, as is the sap of the tree.

Agroforestry

Endospermum myrmecophilum is well known as a soil stabilizer, given how their roots grow close to under the soil. When the leaves deteriorate, they provide organic material for the soil. Additionally, the whitewood provides optimal conditions for plants that grow in shady areas.