Colubrina is a genus of about 30 species of shrubs and small trees in the family Rhamnaceae (order Rosales), distributed across warm temperate to tropical regions of Africa, the Americas, southern Asia, northern Australia, and the Indian Ocean islands. Species typically grow 1–10 metres tall and bear simple ovate leaves. The flowers are small and greenish-white to yellowish, and the fruit is a dry capsule containing three seeds.
The genus is taxonomically complex and has been described as at least in part a wastebasket taxon; future systematic revision is expected to result in the reassignment of a number of species to different genera. Common names applied to members of the genus include nakedwood, snakewood, greenheart, and hogplum, reflecting the diversity of the group across its wide range.
Notable members include Colubrina arborescens (greenheart), found in southern Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America; Colubrina asiatica (Asian nakedwood), native to the Indo-Pacific but now invasive in Florida; Colubrina elliptica (soldierwood or mabi), whose bark and fruit are used in the Caribbean to make a traditional fermented soft drink called mauby; and Colubrina nicholsonii (Pondo snakewood), endemic to South Africa.
Etymology
The generic name Colubrina is derived from the Latin word coluber, meaning "snake", a reference to the snake-like stems or stamens characteristic of the genus. Common names used across its range include nakedwood, snakewood, greenheart, and hogplum.
Distribution
Colubrina species are native to warm temperate and tropical regions of Africa, the Americas, southern Asia, northern Australia, and the Indian Ocean islands. Colubrina asiatica, though native to the Indo-Pacific, has established itself as an invasive species in Florida.
Ecology
Colubrina species serve as larval food plants for some Lepidoptera; Bucculatrix kendalli feeds exclusively on Colubrina texensis. Colubrina asiatica is a notable invasive in Florida, where it spreads aggressively in coastal and disturbed habitats.
Cultural Uses
In the Caribbean, the leaves, fruit, and bark of Colubrina elliptica (soldierwood) are used to produce mauby, a traditional soft drink with a slightly bitter flavor that is popular across the region.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus is considered at least in part a wastebasket taxon, meaning it has accumulated species that do not all share a close common ancestor to the exclusion of other genera. Future taxonomic revision is expected to result in the renaming of a number of species into other genera within Rhamnaceae.
