''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen

shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...

s and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "

logwood ''Haematoxylum campechianum'' (blackwood, bloodwood tree, bluewood, campeachy tree, campeachy wood, campeche logwood, campeche wood, Jamaica wood, logwood or logwood tree) is a species of flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is na ...

s". The generic name is derived from the Greek words ξύλον (''xylon''), meaning "wood," and ὀσμή (''osmé''), meaning "smell," referring to the fragrant wood of some of the species. The Takhtajan system places it in the family Flacourtiaceae, which is considered defunct by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.

Description

The

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are alternate, simple, entire or finely toothed, long. The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on

raceme A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...

s long, usually

dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...

, and have a strong scent. The fruit is a small purple-black

berry A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, raspb ...

in diameter that contains 2 to 8 seeds.

Range

The genus is predominantly native to the tropics and

subtropics The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical and climate zones to the north and south of the tropics. Geographically part of the temperate zones of both hemispheres, they cover the middle latitudes from to approximately 35° north and ...

, from the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...

, Central America, northern South America, the

Pacific Islands Collectively called the Pacific Islands, the islands in the Pacific Ocean are further categorized into three major island groups: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Depending on the context, the term ''Pacific Islands'' may refer to one of se ...

, southern Asia and northern Australasia. Two species, '' X. congesta'' and '' X. japonicum'', are found in warm- temperate

eastern Asia East Asia is the eastern region of Asia, which is defined in both Geography, geographical and culture, ethno-cultural terms. The modern State (polity), states of East Asia include China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. ...

(

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, Korea and

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

). Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggest that the genus '' Lasiochlamys'' from

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

may be nested in ''Xylosma''.

Ecology

''Xylosma'' foliage is used as food by the

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...

s of some

lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...

, such as the rustic ('' Cupha erymanthis''), which feeds on '' X. racemosa'', and the common leopard (''

Phalanta phalantha ''Phalanta phalantha'', the common leopard or spotted rustic, is a sun-loving butterfly of the nymphalid or brush-footed butterfly family. Description The common leopard is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 50–55 mm with a tawn ...

''), which feeds on '' X. longifolium'' and ''X. racemosa''.

Uses

The main use for the genus is as hedge and topiary plants among gardeners in

desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

and

chaparral Chaparral ( ) is a shrubland plant community and geographical feature found primarily in the U.S. state of California, in southern Oregon, and in the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It is shaped by a Mediterranean c ...

climates. ''

Xylosma congesta ''Xylosma congesta'', commonly known as shiny xylosma, is a species of flowering plant native to China. Discovery The species was first recorded in China by Jesuit missionary João de Loureiro. Description ''Xylosma congesta'' can grow up to ...

'' is the species usually seen in garden hedges and in road landscaping, despite the fact it bears thorns. Other species cultivated for these purposes include '' X. bahamensis'', '' X. flexuosa'', and '' X. heterophyllum''. '' X. longifolium'' is sometimes grown in India for its edible fruits. In addition, a medicinal extract is made from its young leaves that acts as antispasmodic,

narcotic The term narcotic (, from ancient Greek ναρκῶ ''narkō'', "to make numb") originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with numbing or paralyzing properties. In the United States, it has since become associated with opiates ...

, and

sedative A sedative or tranquilliser is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement. They are CNS depressants and interact with brain activity causing its deceleration. Various kinds of sedatives can be distinguished, but t ...

. 15 species of the genus have reported medicinal or veterinary use.

Selected species

Species include: * ''

Xylosma bahamensis ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' ( Britton)

Standl. Paul Carpenter Standley (March 21, 1884 – June 2, 1963) was an American botanist known for his work on neotropical plants. __TOC__ Standley was born on March 21, 1884 in Avalon, Missouri. He attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri an ...

– Bahamas xylosma ( The Bahamas) * ''

Xylosma boliviana ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the ...

Sleumer Hermann Otto Sleumer (February 21, 1906 in Saarbrücken – October 1, 1993 in Oegstgeest) was a Dutch botanist of German birth. The plant genera ''Sleumerodendron'' Virot ( Proteaceae) and ''Sleumeria'' Utteridge, Nagam. & Teo (Icacinaceae T ...

* ''

Xylosma boulindae ''Xylosma boulindae'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locatio ...

'' Sleumer (

) * ''

Xylosma buxifolia ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

A.Gray Asa Gray (November 18, 1810 – January 30, 1888) is considered the most important American botanist of the 19th century. His '' Darwiniana'' was considered an important explanation of how religion and science were not necessarily mutually exc ...

– boxleaf xylosma (the

) * ''

Xylosma capillipes ''Xylosma capillipes'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia. References capillipes ''Capillipes'' is a genus of fungi in the family Helotiaceae The Helotiaceae are a family of fungi i ...

'' Guillaumin (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma ciliatifolia ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (Clos) Eichler * ''

'' (Lour.) Merrill – shiny xylosma * ''

Xylosma crenata ''Xylosma crenata'', the sawtooth logwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is a tree, reaching a height of . Sawtooth logwood inhabits montane mesic forests domina ...

H.St.John Harold St. John (July 24/25 1892 – December 12, 1991) was a professor of botany at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa from 1929 to 1958. A prolific specialist in field botany and systematics, he is credited with discovering about 500 new ...

– sawtooth logwood (

Kauai Kauai, () anglicized as Kauai ( ), is geologically the second-oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands (after Niʻihau). With an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), it is the fourth-largest of these islands and the 21st largest island ...

in Hawaii) * ''

Xylosma fawcettii ''Xylosma fawcettii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater An ...

Urb. Ignatz Urban (7 January 1848 – 7 January 1931) was a German botanist. He is known for his contributions to the flora of the Caribbean and Brazil, and for his work as curator of the Berlin Botanical Garden. Born the son of a brewer, Urban s ...

( Jamaica) * '' Xylosma flexuosa'' ( Kunth)

Hemsl. William Botting Hemsley (29 December 1843, in East Hoathly – 7 October 1924, in Kent) was an English botanist and 1909 Victoria Medal (horticulture), Victoria Medal of Honour recipient. He was born in East Hoathly, Sussex and in 1860 started wo ...

– brushholly ( Mexico, Central America) * ''

Xylosma glaberrima ''Xylosma glaberrima'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to southeast Brazil, in Paraná (state), Rio de Janeiro (state), and São Paulo (state). It occurs in Restinga and other Atlantic Forest The At ...

'' Sleumer ( Brazil) * ''

Xylosma grossecrenata ''Xylosma grossecrenata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Loc ...

'' (Sleumer) Lescot (New Caledonia) * '' Xylosma hawaiensis'' Seem. – Hawaiian brushholly, ''maua'' ( Hawaii) * ''

Xylosma heterophylla ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (H.Karst.) Gilg. (

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

) * ''

Xylosma inaequinervia ''Xylosma inaequinervia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Loc ...

'' Sleumer (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma japonica ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (Thunb.) A.Gr. * ''

Xylosma kaalaensis ''Xylosma kaalaensis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locati ...

'' Sleumer (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma latifolia ''Flacourtia latifolia'', synonym ''Xylosma latifolia'', is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is native to Karnataka and Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1 ...

'' J.Hk. & Thoms. ( India) * ''

Xylosma longifolia ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' Clos (Western Himalayas) * ''

Xylosma maidenii ''Xylosma maidenii'', commonly known as the ship tree or shitum wood is a small tree in the genus ''Xylosma'' of the family Salicaceae, endemic to the lowland forests of Australia's Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea The Tasman Sea ( Māo ...

'' * ''

Xylosma molesta ''Xylosma molesta'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location ...

'' Sleumer (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma obovata ''Xylosma obovata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near N ...

'' (Karsten) Triana & Planchon (

) * ''

Xylosma orbiculata ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (

J.R.Forst. Johann Reinhold Forster (22 October 1729 – 9 December 1798) was a German Reformed (Calvinist) pastor and naturalist of partially Scottish descent who made contributions to the early ornithology of Europe and North America. He is best known ...

& G.Forst.) G.Forst. (

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

, Tonga, Niue) * ''

Xylosma ovata ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the ...

'' * ''

Xylosma pachyphylla ''Xylosma pachyphylla'', commonly known as spiny logwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae, that is endemic to Puerto Rico. It can be found in forests on the island's western mountains, where it grows in serpentine soils. ...

'' (Krug & Urb.) Urb. – spiny logwood ( Puerto Rico) * ''

Xylosma palawanensis ''Xylosma palawanensis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, l ...

'' Mend. ( Philippines) * ''

Xylosma panamensis ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

Turcz. Nikolai Stepanovich Turczaninow ( ru , Николай Степанович Турчанинов, 1796 in Nikitovka, now in Krasnogvardeysky District, Belgorod Oblast, Russia – 1863 in Kharkov) was a Russian botanist and plant collector who ...

* ''

Xylosma parvifolia ''Xylosma parvifolia'', commonly known as mountain xylosma, is a plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to the mountains of Australia's Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. Description Mountain xylosma is a shrub that grows to 2 m in ...

'' Jessup * ''

Xylosma peltata ''Xylosma peltata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locatio ...

'' (Sleumer) Lescot (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma pininsularis ''Xylosma pininsularis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locat ...

'' Guillaumin (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma prockia ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the ...

'' (Turcz.) Turcz. * ''

Xylosma proctorii ''Xylosma proctorii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater A ...

'' Sleumer (Jamaica) * ''

Xylosma pseudosalzmannii ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' Sleumer * ''

Xylosma racemosa ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the ...

'' (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq. * ''

Xylosma ruiziana ''Xylosma ruiziana'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Se ...

'' Sleumer ( Peru) * ''

Xylosma salzmanni ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' Eich. * ''

Xylosma samoensis ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from ...

'' Sleumer ( Savai'i) * ''

Xylosma schaefferioides ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' A.Gray – white logwood ( Greater Antilles) * '' Xylosma schwaneckeana'' Urb. – Schwaneck's logwood (Puerto Rico) * ''

Xylosma senticosa ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' Hance * ''

Xylosma serpentina ''Xylosma serpentinum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locati ...

'' Sleumer (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma serrata ''Xylosoma serrata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to the island of Montserrat Montserrat ( ) is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is part of the Leew ...

'' (Sw.) Urb. * ''

Xylosma simulans ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' A.C.Sm. * ''

Xylosma spiculifera ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (Tul.) Triana & Planch. (Colombia) * ''

Xylosma terrae-reginae ''Xylosma terrae-reginae'' is a rainforest tree of eastern Australia. The habitat is in sea side or relatively dry rainforest areas, mostly on private property. Found as far south as Ballina, New South Wales to as far north as near Maryborough, ...

'' C.T.White & Sleumer (NSW and Queensland, Australia) * ''

Xylosma tuberculata ''Xylosma tuberculata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Locati ...

'' Sleumer (New Caledonia) * ''

Xylosma tweediana ''Xylosma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae. It contains around 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees commonly known as brushhollies, xylosmas, or, more ambiguously, "logwoods". The generic name is derived from the Gr ...

'' (Clos) Eichler

References

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q5222959 Salicaceae genera Taxa named by Georg Forster Dioecious plants