Bikkia tetrandra
(L.f.) A.Rich.
Rubiaceae
Bikkia australis DC.
Bikkia comptonii S.Moore
Bikkia forsteriana Brongn.
Bikkia grandiflora Reinw. ex Blume
Bikkia hombroniana Brongn.
Bikkia mariannensis Brongn.
Bikkia tetrandra A.Gray
Bikkiopsis comptonii (S.Moore) Baum.-Bod.
Cormigonus mariannensis (Brongn.) W.Wight
Cormigonus tetrandus (L.f.) Kuntze
Hoffmannia amicorum Spreng.
Petesia carnosa Hook. & Arn.
Portlandia tetrandra L.f.
Common Name: Torchwood
Flowering branches
Photograph by: Tau?olunga
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5
General Information
Torchwood is an attractive, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 1 - 3 metres tall[
490- Title
- Flora Vitiensis Nova
- Publication
-
- Author
- Smith. A.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]..
The wood is gathered from the wild for use as torches and candles. The attractive flowers are used in garlands[
490- Title
- Flora Vitiensis Nova
- Publication
-
- Author
- Smith. A.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
490- Title
- Flora Vitiensis Nova
- Publication
-
- Author
- Smith. A.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Pacific - New Guinea to the west Pacific.
Habitat
Most commonly found on exposed, limestone cliff faces and on limestone boulders near the sea on the Island of Guam[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in pure limestone[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Growing on cliffs near the sea, this species should be tolerant of maritime exposure[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
Plants can be grown as an informal hedge[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].
Other Uses
The wood ignites easily and is used for torches[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
459- Title
- The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 9
- Author
- Safford W.E.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
- Year
- 1905
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It can be cut into short sections and then used like a candle[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Branches are grouped together and used as torches[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].
Propagation
Seed - to germinate, fill a container, such as a 15cm pot, with crushed limestone. Spread a thin layer of moist, soilless potting mix or peat moss over the top of the crushed limestone. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the potting mix and do not cover with soil[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Keep the container in a shaded area and lightly mist with water every few days to prevent drying[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. The seeds should germinate in about four weeks[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. The germinating seedlings are tiny, with small opposite round leaves. The young plants are succulent with light green leaves. As the seedlings grow, they can be exposed to brighter light. When 8cm tall, the seedlings can be transplanted to individual pots[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Crushed
limestone can be used as a growing medium[
354- Title
- Plants of Guam
- Publication
-
- Author
- Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
- Website
- http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
- Publisher
- University of Guam.
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].
When collecting seed, select mature capsules that have not split open.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
