Family: Clusiaceae
English: tamanu tree
Hawaiian: kamani
Kosraen: ituc
Kapinga: setau
Mwoakillese: ijaou
Pingalapese: sepang
Pohnpeian: isou
Southern Noumeneas: Rekich
Mortlockese: Rakish
Ulithian: sefang [tentative]
Japanese: yarabo
This tree is more commonly found on the outer islands and in Kosrae, favoring beach and strand environments. In September 2006 a tree located between the Pohnpei Fitness center (Pwunso towards Nan Pepwuh) and the tennis courts was in riotous bloom fragrancing the evening air.
The latex from a large stem is boiled and used as glue to seal the glass in making diving goggles and is used as a caulk to plug holes in canoe. Flowers, which are faintly reminiscent of jasmine or night blooming cestrum, are used as fragrance in coconut oil. In the distant past the flowers were boiled in coconut oil (marekeiso) and the oil was used to perfume hair. Today the flowers are used in mwarmwars.
Information via the work of Dr. Michael Balick with additional information from Joana Nanpei and Shrue Naf Kilafwasru. Assistance also from Dr. Don Buden. Photos credit: Brian Lynch and Dana Lee Ling.
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