Skip to main content

Waiahulu schiedea (Schiedea waiahuluensis), a new species discovered by drone from rocky cliffs of Kaua’i, Hawaii

Waiahulu schiedea (Schiedea waiahuluensis), a new species discovered by drone from rocky cliffs of Kaua’i, Hawaii

NEWS - Waiahulu schiedea (Schiedea waiahuluensis) is the only known species in the Waiahulu Valley cliffs in the Waimea Canyon of Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, and is placed in the broader sect. Leucocalyx. The new species brings the genus to 36 species endemic to Hawaii.

In a survey by a National Tropical Botanical Garden drone team in December 2021, the team observed the enigmatic Schiedea on a steep rocky cliff face in the Waiahulu Valley. A subsequent survey in March 2022 using a remote-controlled cutting tool suspended from a drone, the first specimen was collected of this cliff dweller that has never been described before.

The species has enlarged, whitish sepals that are similar to those of the cliff dweller S. attenuata, but differ significantly from all other species in the genus. The specimen also shares similarities with S. attenuata, namely woody, hermaphroditic flowers, colored nectaries and 5-7 or 8 stalks.

The specific epithet refers to Waiahulu in Waimea Canyon, the only location where the specimen was found. S. waiahuluensis is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, restricted to the western side of Kaua’i with exposed cliffs, 1000-1500 mm/year rainfall, above Waiahulu Stream growing in a small tributary of the larger Waimea Canyon in Pu'u Ka Pele Forest Reserve.

The researchers determined the distribution of S. waiahuluensis to be approximately 5 km along basal cliffs above Waiahulu Stream with an estimated population of 345 individuals at elevations of 530-950 meters. Mostly on vertical rocks in small crevices with soil pockets, on rock shelves or under overhanging cliffs.

Although the native vegetation in Waimea Canyon has been severely damaged by goats (Capra hircus L.) since their introduction in the late 1790s, many endemic species remain in the more inaccessible parts of the reserve, especially the vertical dry cliffs. Native shrubs and trees grow alongside new species including Nototrichium sandwicense (A.Gray) Hillebr.

Then Peucedanum sandwicense Hillebr., Artemisia australis Less., Bidens sandvicensis Less. ssp. confusa Nagata & Ganders, Wollastonia fauriei H.Lév., Wilkesia gymnoxiphium A.Gray, Lobelia niihauensis H.St.John, Euphorbia celastroides Boiss. var. hanapepensis Sherff, Argemone glauca (Nutt. ex Prain) Pope, Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. and Neraudia melastomifolia Gaudich.

Two native grasses in this habitat include Eragrostis variabilis (Gaudich.) Steud. and Panicum lineale H.St.John, along with the ferns Doryopteris decora Brack. and Isodendrion pyrifolium A.Gray. A federally endangered small shrub previously undocumented from Kaua’i was also found growing alongside S. waiahuluensis with S. apokremnos H.St.John and S. spergulina A.Gray.

In addition to direct negative effects on native plant species, goats in this area facilitate the spread of invasive non-native plant species, most notably Pluchea carolinensis (Jacq.) G.Don, Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit., Festuca bromoides L., Pentapogon micranthus (Cav.) P.M.Peterson, Romasch. & Soreng, Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br. and Lantana camara L.

S. waiahuluensis is assessed as endangered using IUCN criteria. Its limited geographic range, single location and declining habitat quality have led to its classification as Critically Endangered (CR). Establishment and replication of ex situ collections are ongoing, and additional collections from underrepresented subpopulations will provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity of this species.

Original research

Wagner WL, Weller SG, Sakai AK, Nyberg B, Wood KR (2024). Schiedea waiahuluensis (Caryophyllaceae), an enigmatic new species from Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands and the first species discovered by a drone collection system. PhytoKeys 247: 111-121, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.130241

Dlium theDlium
Labels:

Popular Posts

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...
Read more

Devil's backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides)

Pokok lipan or devil's-backbone or redbird flower or christmas candle or Pedilanthus tithymaloides ( Euphorbia tithymaloides ) are plant species in Euphorbiaceae, upright, evergreen, gummy shrubs, growing in tropical and subtropical regions. E. tithymaloides likes sandy soils especially with high concentrations of boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. This bush grows to 2.4 m high and 61 cm wide. Simple angiosperm leaves, arranged opposite to the stem where each leaf is sessile with a length of 3.6-7.6 cm. The stem has the tip of a handle that supports a group of flowers that are not scented. Bifid crown and ovoid. The involucral bracts are bright red, irregular in shape and length from 1.1 to 1.3 mm. Hairy male and female pedicels. Seed pods are 7.6 mm long, 8.9 mm wide and ovate with clipped ends. Devil's-backbone generally blooms in mid-spring in the subtropical region and in the dry season in the tropics. Pollination is carried out by ants and birds. ...
Read more

False nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)

False nettle ( Boehmeria cylindrica ) is a species of plant in the Urticaceae family, a herb or small shrub, up to 160 cm tall, usually monoecious but rarely dioecious. The leaves are paired or alternate, and the inflorescence is a spikelet with a cluster of small bracts at the tip. B. cylindrica generally grows to a height of 50-100 cm. Spine-like hairs form in the leaf axils. The leaves are oval and up to 10 cm long and 4 cm wide. The flowers are green or greenish-white and emerge from the upper leaf axils. Male and female flowers usually grow on separate plants. Male flowers are more numerous among the spikes in clusters. Female flowers are less evenly distributed along the spikes. The small, oval seeds are covered with small, hook-like hairs. Ripe seeds are dark brown. The inflorescence resembles a spike and is up to 3 cm long. This species can be found in moist to mesic deciduous forest habitats, growing abundantly along streambanks, floodplains, and lowlands. B. cylindrica is ...
Read more