(Children's Center)

The `Alani, Melicope clusiifolia (A. Gray) T. Hartley & B. Stone, belongs to the family Rutaceae. It occurs as shrubs or trees in the wet forests on all of the major islands, especially on Oahu and Hawaii, where it can be found in the forests of Puna, near the Volcano Kilauea. It can grow to be as tall as 25 to 30 feet in height. Although `alani is a highly diverse species, all forms exhibit linking features.. The leaves usually grow in whorls of four at the end of branches, have a weak anise odor, are variable in shape, with the upper leaf surface usually glossy. Small white flowers are borne in axiliary clusters or in clusters along the stem below the leaves, with fruit capsules that are woody and yellowish. The wood has a very light yellow color with a moderately fine texture.