Hawai'I Brushholly

Description

Xylosma hawaiiense is a small deciduous tree,reaching a height of 3-9 m (9.8-29.5 ft). The alternate, elliptical leaves are 5-10 cm (2.0-3.9 in) long, 3-7.5 cm (1.2-3.0 in) wide, and produced on thin petioles 1-2 cm (0.39-0.79 in) in length. Young leaves are bronze green, reddish, or copper-colored with red veins, aging to shiny dark green on top and slightly shiny green on bottom. Twigs are initially dark red and mature to a dark brown. Racemes 13-25 mm (0.51-0.98 in) long are produced at the bases of new leaves or the back of leaves. The dioecious flowers are greenish or reddish and 6 mm (0.24 in) in diameter. Female plants produce abundant berries in the summer and fall that are deep red when ripe and about 1 cm (0.39 in) in diameter.