Schiedea spergulina var. spergulina

No Common Name

Description

Schiedea spergulina var. spergulina is a tall sub-shrub in the pink family that reaches a height of 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m). The opposite leaves are very narrow, usually 1.2-2.6 in (3-6.5 cm) long and about 0.04 in (1 mm) wide, one-veined, and attached directly to the stem. The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers on different plants. Flowers occur in compact clusters of three. There are usually five green and purple-tinged sepals. The capsular fruits are about 0.08-0.12 in (1-3 mm) long and contain nearly smooth, kidney-shaped seeds. Only two other species out of 22 in this endemic genus have smooth seeds. S. spergulina differs from those two in having very compact flower clusters. The two weakly defined varieties differ primarily in the degree of hairiness.

Habitat

S. spergulina var. spergulina is usually found on bare rock outcrops or sparsely vegetated portions of rocky cliffs or cliff bases in diverse lowland mesic forests at elevations of 590-3,000 ft (180-915 m). Associated vegetation includes 'ahinahina, Chin-aberry, lantana, Sacramento burr, and kulu'i.

Distribution

S. spergulina var. spergulina is endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This variety, more numerous than S. spergulina var. leiopoda, was once found in Olokele Canyon; now it is known on state land from Kalalau Rim and four locations in Waimea Canyon.

One population contains only five plants, but the other four number in the thousands. In 1994, these five occurrences were estimated to total no more than 5,000 individuals.

Threats

Threats to S. spergulina var. spergulina are habitat destruction by feral goats and competition with introduced plants. This variety competes with daisy fleabane and lantana. The area in which this variety grows is used heavily by feral goats, and there is evidence that plants are being browsed and trampled.

Conservation and Recovery

The National Tropical Botanical Garden holds seeds of this species, but has not propagated S. spergulina var. spergulina.

Contacts

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species
Eastside Federal Complex
911 N. E. 11th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97232-4181
Telephone: (503) 231-6121
http://pacific.fws.gov/

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Remote Islands Ecological Services Field Office
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122
P.O. Box 50088
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-5000
Telephone: (808) 541-1201
Fax: (808) 541-1216
http://www.r1.fws.gov/pacific/

Reference

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 25 February 1994. "Determination of Endangered or Threatened Status for 24 Plants from the Island of Kauai, HI." Federal Register 59 (38): 9304-9329.