Pau branco (Notelaea excelsa)

A tree of the olive family (Oleaceae), with persistent, leathery, glabrous and entire leaves, white flowers gathered in short racemes, axillary or extra-axillary, single or paired, and elliptical fruits, red at first and later violet. It is found in the mountains of São Vicente and of Boaventura and Porto do Moniz, etc., but is almost extinct on the island. It yields a white wood, or one tending slightly towards pink, which is very hard and heavy and takes a good polish; it is still used today for the screws of wine presses and the keels of boats.