Torchwood
Amyris elemifera
Plant Family: Rutaceae
Leaves: Opposite, once-compound, 3 (sometimes 5) ovate leaflets with downward curving tips; the stalk of the terminal leaf is longer than those of the other leaflets. Tiny whitish dots are seen on the upper surface.
Bark: Gray to brown, smooth on young specimens, rougher on older trees, often holding lichens. The close-grained, resinous wood has been used for fuel and torches in the Caribbean and in Central America.
Flowers: Small, white, four petals, in attractive terminal clusters; all year, peaking in the early summer.
Fruits: A green drupe that ripens to purple-black, to 1cm, edible and eaten by birds; fall to winter.
Habitat: Found in and on the edges of eastern coastal hammocks; not at all common.
Growth Form: Shrub to small tree.
Similar Species: Balsam Torchwood (Amyris balsamifera) is a similar but rare relative restricted to Keys hammocks.
Comments: Torchwood is important as one of only two food plants of the endangered Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly.
