Coprosma rhynchocarpa

Description:

Pilo or Woodland mirrorplantRubiaceae (Coffee family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Auwahi District, East Maui; Hawaii Island)Photo: Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandStaminate (male) flowers picturedFemale flowers & immature fruitswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5516100887/in/datetaken-...As in early Hawaiian use, the berries are occasionally used as a laxative today.Pilo of many species provide fruit for native birds, such as mao or Hawaiian thrush (Myadestes obscurus) and so favored in some areas that they have been observed guarding and chasing off other birds from fruit-laden trees.EtymologyThe generic name is from the Greek kopros, dung, and osme, smell referring to the dung-like or rotten cabbage smell (methanethiol) given off when the leaves of some species are crushed.The specific epithet rhynchocarpa is derived from the Greek rhyncho, beak, and the Latin carpus, fruit, in reference to the beak-like projection on the fruits of this species.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Coprosma_rhynchocarpa