Fragrant kerosene tree spotted thriving on a Maui coastline
iNaturalist: simcarto
Native Plants
If you're planning a drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant coastal garden, this tree's presence confirms it can handle Hawaii's dry leeward conditions while still producing showy orange blooms that draw pollinators.
Someone out exploring in Wailea-Makena, Hawaii spotted a Kerosene Tree and logged it on iNaturalist, where other experts checked the photos and confirmed the identification. This tree gets its common name from the smell of its wood or sap, and it's known for growing right along tropical coastlines, tolerating salt spray and poor soil while producing bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers.
Key Findings
Observation reached 'research-grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the species ID was confirmed by community consensus.
Location recorded as Wailea-Makena, a leeward coastal region of Maui, Hawaii.
Cordia subcordata is a Pacific coastal species often used in tropical landscaping for its salt and drought tolerance.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a verified sighting of the Kerosene Tree, a coastal tropical species with fragrant orange flowers, growing in Wailea-Makena, Hawaii.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Kerosene Tree (Cordia subcordata) observed in Wailea-Makena, HI, US
Research-grade observation of Kerosene Tree in Wailea-Makena, HI, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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