A young Koa tree showing compound leaves and phyllodes
The Koa (Acacia koa; Family Fabaceae) is a large tree endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Its trunk was used by the ancient Hawaiians to build dugout canoes.
The tree is somewhat unusual (typical mostly of Australian and Pacific islands acacias) in that the leaves produced early in the growth of the plant are compound leaves typical of the pea family. However, the adult koa has sickle-shaped "leaves" that are not at all compound. These are phyllodes, blades that develop as an expansion of the leaf petiole.
The koa population has suffered from grazing and logging, and the reddish lumber is currently very valuable for use in furniture, flooring, paneling, and other finishings in construction.
Upper branches of a Koa tree, showing the bark, sickle-shaped phyllodes greenish rounded flower heads, and seed pods
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Last updated: 10-21-2005 08:17:53
