Psychotria mariniana

Description:

KpikoRubiaceae (Coffee family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lnai and Maui)Oahu (Cultivated)These beautiful plants are easy to care for but used little in landscapes in Hawaii. They should be grown more for their foliage and perhaps bright orange fruits than for the diminutive flowers.The hard whitish wood of kpiko were used by the Hawaiians for anvils or kua kuku for beating kapa, as well as for fuel.Fruitswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/37552326022/in/photolist...Trunk of kpikowww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/14002765619/in/photolist...EtymologyThe generic name Psychotria is derived from the Greek psychros, cold, and trophos, feeder, literally meaning refreshment, in reference to the reputed medicinal properties of some in this genus.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Psychotria_mariniana