About Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq.
Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. is a slender, deciduous tree with smooth, grey bark. It reaches roughly 12 meters in height. Its leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern, clustered near the ends of branches, and can grow up to 150 × 120 millimeters in size. Leaves are ovate, often with three lobes, dark green on the upper surface, and paler grey with a velvety texture on the lower surface. They have three veins starting from the base, and the veins themselves are yellowish. The tree produces cream to yellowish-green flowers that grow in compact heads and release an unpleasant odor. Its fruit is a woody nut with two long, thin wings that aid wind dispersal. The tree's winged fruit and scented flowers are the origin of its various common names. In Tonga, children play with this tree's winged seeds, which are called puko vili. Its timber is sometimes used as a building material for vaka, and an infusion made from its bark can be drunk to treat stomach pains.
