Elaeodendron laneanum
Encyclopedia
Cassine laneana, commonly known as the Bermuda Olivewood, is a species of large tree in the staff vine
Staff vine
The staff vines, also known as staff trees or bittersweet, genus Celastrus, comprise about 30 species of shrubs and vines. They have a wide distribution in East Asia, Australasia, Africa and the Americas....

 family, Celastraceae
Celastraceae
The Celastraceae , is a family of about 90-100 genera and 1,300 species of vines, shrubs and small trees, belonging to the order Celastrales...

, that is endemic to the islands of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...

. Although once found in the extensive subtropical coniferous forests
Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests
Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests are a forest biome. They are located in regions of semi-humid climate at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Most tropical and subtropical coniferous forest ecoregions are found in the Nearctic and Neotropic ecozones, from Mexico to Nicaragua and on the...

 that covered the islands, it is currently restricted to small protected areas, such as Spittal Pond
Spittal Pond, Bermuda
Spittal Pond is the third largest pond in Bermuda, and is surrounded by Bermuda's largest wildlife sanctuary, the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. It is located close to the Atlantic coast of Smith's Parish....

. C. laneana can grow anywhere from 25 to 40 feet tall, with 1 - 2.5 inch long and 0.5 to 1.5 inch wide leaves. The leaves are also a deep green colour when they are older and a bright green colour when they are younger. C. laneana flowers in late spring and early summer and produces a small 0.25 to 0.5 inch long ovate berry that is an olive colour.

The Bermuda Olivewood did not have very much use in Bermuda's history, although it played a huge part in it. It has huge boughs that are highly woody. The crown is naturally grown into a sphere shape. C. laneana is often used as an ornamental tree, lining the streets of Hamilton
Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...

 and providing shade in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens
Bermuda Botanical Gardens
Bermuda Botanical Gardens features of flowers, shrubs, and trees. The Botanical Gardens are located in Paget Parish, Bermuda a short drive from downtown Hamilton....

.

External links

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