Three-lobed compound leaves separate this rare evergreen shrub from most of its simple-leafed congeneric relatives.
It occurs naturally in the diverse shrubby vegetation of New Caledonia, often on specialized mineral-rich substrates. French botanist Henri Ernest Baillon first documented and described the species in 1873.
Soulamea trifoliata grows as a shrub or small tree with slender branches. Its leaves are petiolate and trifoliate, with three obovate leaflets that have entire margins and a coriaceous texture.
The inflorescences are axillary, carrying small, greenish-white flowers that are unisexual. The fruit is a dry, two-winged samara, which is compressed and slightly notched at the apex.
The bark and leaves contain bitter quassinoid lactones, which have been studied for their cytotoxic properties.
In traditional local medicine, related species have been used to treat fevers, though scientific clinical applications remain undeveloped.
The specific name trifoliata highlights the three-leaflet structure, which is relatively uncommon in this genus.
It is highly adapted to nickel-rich ultramafic soils, exhibiting unique physiological adaptations to handle magnesium and heavy metal toxicity.
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