Thespesia populnea
Bois de rose
Miro (S, T, G, A)

Pacific Rosewood
Interesting facts
The Miro is a tree with yellow heart shaped leaves. Its high quality wood was and still is used in spears, bludgeons, canoes, ‘umete, and furniture in general. The tree inspired priests since it was the emanation of Roro’o (prior singer), it was thus indispensable for marae. Sacred statues, or idols (ti’i, tiki), were built in pink wood. Its young branches were used for sacred ceremonies: the clergy had them in their hands. It is still used in traditional medicine, and its fruit can treat jellyfish stings among other things.
Family | Malvaceae |
---|---|
Biogeographical status | Native |
Life form | Tree |
Abundance on Tetiaroa | Not Common |
Ecosystem on Tetiaroa | mixed forest |
sources
legend
S: Society | T: Tuamotu | M: Marquesas | G: Gambier | A: Australs | FP: French Polynesia