Myrsine lessertiana
Myrsine lessertiana, the kōlea lau nui, is a species of colicwood endemic to the U.S. state of Hawaii in the family Primulaceae. It inhabits Hawaiian tropical dry, coastal mesic, mixed mesic, and wet forests at elevations of on the main Hawaiian islands. M.lessertiana is a small to medium-sized tree, reaching a height of with a trunk diameter of. Most are founded on the main Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Maui with flowers blooming during spring, less during the fall, and flowers that peak during winter seasons.
Taxonomy
Myrsine lessertiana is found to have a total of three clades. The first clade is found only on Oahu and Kauai which is further divided into two subcategories of the clades based on leaf shapes and genomic datasets. The second clade consists of variations from other islands such as M.pukooensis and M.vaccinioides. The third clade consists of two specimens of Myrsine lessertiana. These clades form lineages that establish it as monophyletic with ''Myrsine lanaiensis.''
Habitat
Myrsine lessertiana has proven to be suitable candidate for native Hawaiian forest restoration because the species thrives in wet lowland forests with low lighting and grows well at high elevations.
Uses
Native Hawaiians used kōlea lau nui wood to make papa olonā, kua kuku, pou, kaola, pale, and manu for wa. Kōlea lau nui bark was boiled in water to make hili kōlea, which was then used on kapa. During ancient times, Native Hawaiians also used the kōlea lau nui for canoes, used the charcoal for black dye, and its wood is still used today for crafting.