Family: Elaeocarpaceae

Genus: Elaeocarpus

Species: carolinensis

Common names: sadak

General Description: Sadak (Elaeocarpus carolinensis) is a canopy tree that grows to 50 feet high in the rainforest and is considered critical for rainforest survival. The leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and are oblong-shaped, each four to six inches long and one to two inches wide. The leaves are thick and serrated on the edges. As the end of the growing season approaches, they turn red before falling.

Flowers of the Sadak tree emerge in clusters with five to ten flowers per cluster. They are small and the calyx and petals are equal in length; the petals are notched on the tip. The bright blue fruit is round and as it matures, the skin begins to wrinkle.

The Sadak tree is indigenous to the Federated States of Micronesia on the Caroline and Palau Islands. This species grows in the lowland-upland wet forests and tropical cloud forests, at elevations ranging from sea-level to 1400 feet above the sea. This species is also found in Taiwan.

The genus Elaeocarpus contains 250 species found in a number of continents and countries, including Asia and Australia; and island countries of Madagascar, Mauritius, Melesia, New Zealand, the Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific. Two species of this genus are found in Hawaii, and one (Elaeocarpus bifidus) grows both on Kauai and Oahu.

On the Caroline and Palau Islands, the Sadak tree is now surrounded by agriculture/forestry industry, thus becoming one of the 'remnant' trees in the rainforest.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.



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