Tree Heliotrope

Description:

The tree heliotrope is a small, hardy coastal tree. Typically reaches 6 m (20 ft), with similar crown diameter. They use salt water for their water requirements, depositing the excess salt onto one leaf on each bunch, turning it yellow. To minimise water loss it has developed hair covered leaves, these hairs also give the plant a silver hue, reflecting large amounts of the sun's heat rather than absorbing it. The tree heliotrope is a small, hardy coastal tree.

Habitat:

Shoreline of Oahu.

Notes:

Historically tn the Maldives the leaves were often used as famine food. The tree heliotrope was brought to the islands in the 1800's. The earliest collection was on Oahu in 1864-5. Since that time it has become thoroughly naturalized, spreading to coastal regions on all islands, and is now one of the most common shoreline plants.