Planchonella sandwicensis
species of plant
Planchonella sandwicensis is a species of flowering tree in the sapodilla family, Sapotaceae, that is endemic to the main islands of Hawaii. Names for this species in the Hawaiian language include ʻĀlaʻa, Āulu and ʻĒlaʻa.
Description
ʻĀlaʻa inhabits dry, coastal mesic, and mixed mesic forests at elevations of 240–980 m (790–3,220 ft). ʻĀlaʻa reaches a height of 15 m (49 ft) and a trunk diameter of 0.4 m (1.3 ft). The thick bark is grey and fissured, with an orange inner layer. The leaves are alternate, thick, leathery, oblong or elliptical, and measure 6–14 cm (2.4–5.5 in) long and 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) wide. The upper surfaces of the leaves are glabrous and shiny green, while the lower surfaces are dull and may feature bronze or reddish brown pressed hairs. The hairs are sometimes found only on the tips of new leaves (see photo gallery below). Inflorescences with one to four bell-shaped flowers are found at the bases of leaves. The fruit, a berry, is 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) in diameter and yellow, orange, or purplish black.
The public source identifies “Planchonella sandwicensis” as species of plant. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Planchonella, sandwicensis and species.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Planchonella sandwicensis”, the useful work is to connect “species of plant” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Datasets, specimens, observations and peer-reviewed methods provide the appropriate test for the technical claims summarized here. The source revision retrieved here is dated May 21, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q22979023. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Planchonella sandwicensis”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Planchonella sandwicensis primary sources, Planchonella sandwicensis archive and Planchonella research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Planchonella sandwicensis”?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Planchonella sandwicensis” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.