Nehe

Lipochaeta fauriei

Description

This nehe (Lipochaeta fauriei ) is a perennial herb in the aster family with somewhat woody, erect or climbing stems up to 16 ft (5 m) long. The toothed leaves are narrowly triangular, slightly hairy, 3-5 in (7.5-12.5 cm) long, and about 1.2 in (3 cm) wide. Flower heads occur in clusters of two to three, each comprising six to eight ray florets that are 0.2-0.5 in (0.5-1.3 cm) long and about 0.1 in (0.3 cm) wide, and 30-35 disk florets that are 0.1 to 0.2 in (0.3-0.5 cm) long. The bracts beneath the flower heads are purple near the base. Fruits are knobby-textured achenes about 0.1 in (0.3 cm) long and 0.07 in (0.2 cm) wide. The achenes of the disk florets are sometimes thinner and shorter than those of the ray florets. This species belongs to a genus endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is one of three species found only on the island of Kauai. This species differs from others on Kauai by having a greater number of disk and ray flowers per flower head, typically longer leaves and leaf stalks, and longer ray flowers.

Habitat

L. fauriei is usually found at elevations of about 1,570-2,950 ft (480-900 m) on the sides of steep gulches in diverse lowland mesic forests. It most often grows in moderate shade to full sun. Associated native vegetation includes basketgrass (Microstegium vimineum ), kukui (Aleurites moluccana ), lama (Diospyros sandwicensis ), and Hibiscus waimeae.

Distribution

L. fauriei, known historically from Olokele Canyon on the island of Kauai, is now also known from the Poopooiki, Haeleele, and lower Hikimoe Valleys, as well as the the Koaie Canyon. These five Kauai populations of fewer than 70 total individuals occur over a 6 by 7 mi (9.5 by 11 km) area of state land.

Threats

The major threats to L. fauriei are degradation of habitat by feral goats and competition with invasive alien plants, especially lantana (Lantana camara ). Fire is always a significant threat, and feral pigs pose a potential threat. The small total number of individuals comprises a threat of stochastic extinction and reduced reproductive vigor.

Conservation and Recovery

L. fauriei has been successfully propagated and then cultivated by National Tropical Botanical Garden. This resource center is currently growing plants.

Contacts

Pacific Joint Venture
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122
P.O. Box 50167
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-0056
Telephone: (808) 541-2749

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/

Reference

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