Dubautia latifolia

Dubautia latifolia
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Dubautia
Species:	D. latifolia
Binomial name
Dubautia latifolia (A.Gray) D.D.Keck

Dubautia latifolia is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name koholapehu. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the west side of the island of Kauai. There are no more than 200 individuals remaining.^[1] There are about 18 occurrences, but most of these are made up of only one or two plants.^[2] It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1992.^[2] Like other Dubautia this plant is called na`ena`e.^[3]

This member of the silversword alliance grows in scattered locations in the moist and wet forests near Waimea Canyon on Kauai. The habitat receives up to 190 centimeters of precipitation annually.^[4] The forest is dominated by koa (Acacia koa), ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) and uluhe (Dicranopteris linearis). This plant is a liana which can exceed 8 meters in length.^[2][4] It climbs trees, reaching several meters up into the canopy.^[1] Blooming occurs in September through November,^[1][4] when the plant produces panicles of yellow flowers.^[2]

Threats to this species and its habitat include feral pigs, feral goats, rats, and deer. Invasive plant species that threaten it include Santa Barbara daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus), kahili ginger (Hedychium spp.), lantana (Lantana camara), airplant (Kalanchoe pinnata) and firetree (Myrica faya). Conservation efforts include the collection of seeds and the planting of young plants in appropriate habitat.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} USFWS. Dubautia latifolia Five-year Review. August, 2010.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Dubautia latifolia. The Nature Conservancy.
3. ^ USFWS. Species Reports: Listed Plants.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Carr, G. D. Dubautia latifolia. Hawaiian Silverswords.

External links

• USDA Plants Profile