Melicope ovalis, the wild pelea or Hana melicope, is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae. It is Endemism to Maui, of the Hawaiian Islands.
Distribution
This tree is only present in Kīpahulu Valley in Haleakalā National Park on Maui.
[ Melicope ovalis. The Nature Conservancy.] It is threatened by the degradation of its habitat due to the presence of
and introduced species of plants.
[ It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.][USFWS. Species Reports: Plants.]
Description
The Melicope ovalis tree grows up to in height. The leathery oval leaves grow up to 16 centimeters long by 10 wide. They have a scent similar to anise when crushed.[USFWS. Endangered Status for Three Hawaiian Plant Species of the Genus Melicope. Federal Register December 5, 1994.]
