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 | |
|---|---|
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| Herbarium specimen from Auckland War Memorial Museum | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Loganiaceae |
| Genus: | Geniostoma |
| Species: | G. sykesii
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| Binomial name | |
| Geniostoma sykesii | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Makatea Geniostoma | |
Description
editGeniostoma 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
editGeniostoma 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
editGeniostoma 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
edit- ^ a b c "Geniostoma sykesii". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Geniostoma sykesii". Bishop Museum. Honolulu, Hawaii. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Sir F. (7 October 2008). "Environment (Mitiaro) Regulations 2008" (PDF). Parliament of the Cook Islands – via endangeredearth.com.
- ^ a b "Natural Science Specimen - Geniostoma sykesii". Auckland Museum. Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ Fosberg, F. Raymond; Sachet, Marie-Helen (1981). "Geniostoma sykesii Fosberg & Sachet new species" (PDF). Polynesian Plant Studies (in Latin). Smithsonian Institution: 20.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Buse, Jasper (1995). Cook Islands Maori Dictionary. Canberra, Australia. p. 9. ISBN 9780728602304 – via Google Books.
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