Sideroxylon polynesicum

Description:

[syn. Nesoluma polynesicum]Keahi or Island nesolumaSapotaceae (Sapodilla family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (all the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe). Keahi is also found in the Cook (New Zealand) and Tubuai (French Polynesia).IUCN: VulnerableOahu (Cultivated)The fruits of keahi look like they might be delicious, but they are extremely sticky and inedible.EtymologyThe generic name Sideroxylon is derived from the Greek sidera, iron, and xylon, wood, in reference to its very hard wood.The specific epithet polynesicum literally means "from the Polynesian islands."NPH00012nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Nesoluma_polynesicum