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

Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans)

Sandbox tree ( Hura crepitans ) is species in Euphorbiaceae, a tropical tree, growing up to 60 meters tall and with a trunk circumference of up to 13.2 meters, the trunk is covered with long and sharp thorns and exudes a poisonous sap. H. crepitans has large, oval leaves, 15 cm wide and 20 cm long. The petioles are 22 cm long. The flowers are red and lack petals. Male flowers grow on long stalks, while female flowers grow singly in leaf axils. The fruit is a large, flask-shaped capsule, up to 10 cm in diameter, with 12-16 radially arranged carpels. The seeds are flat and about 2 cm in diameter. The capsule bursts when ripe, dividing into segments and ejecting the seeds at a speed of 70 m/s, a distance of 30-100 meters. This tree prefers moist soil and partial shade or partial to full sun, a warm, humid environment. It is often cultivated for shade. The wood is light and used to make canoes. The sap is used to poison fish. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiosperma...
Read more

Fivefingers (Syngonium angustatum)

Donglimo or fivefingers ( Syngonium angustatum ) is species in Araceae, epiphytes, grow to climb large trees up to 20 meters high, produce milky sap, dark green, internodes up to 50 cm long, petioles up to 35 cm long, green and live in areas tropical. S. angustatum has roots in the soil to absorb nutrients and air roots that grow in each segment to attach themselves to a support. Wild plants that live in forests often cause trees to be uprooted by heavy loads. The main stem produces a row of stems, up to 60 cm with the ends of a group of leaves with 3-7 separate leaflets, but connected by horizontal stems. The middle leaf has a length of up to 25 cm and a width of up to 12 cm. The flower has a veil, round in shape and a pointed tip, green and facing up with a stalk up to 15 cm long. The head of the pistil is tubular, stands 3-5 cm long and is white. The fruit is in a veil, rounded with a pointed tip and green when young to turn bright red when ripe and grow on the tip of the ...
Read more

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)

Pare or bitter melon ( Momordica charantia ) is a plant species in Cucurbitaceae, grows climbing or spreads with spiral-shaped tendrils, many branches, long fruit and jagged surface, grows well in tropical regions and is usually cultivated for vegetables and medicinal ingredients. M. charantia has green stems with white hairs. Single leaf stemmed and arranged alternately, length 3.5-8.5 cm, width 4 cm, divided into 5-7 fins with many bones, heart-shaped base, green, wrinkled surface and jagged margins. A single flower has a stalk, male and female flowers in the tree, the crown has five fins and is yellow. The fruit is long oval shaped, has 8-10 linear ribs, irregular nodules, 6-30 cm long depending on subspecies and varieties, bitter taste, young green, ripe to orange and broken with three parts. Bitter melon has several subpsecies including Momordica charantia macroloba , Momordica charantia charantia and Momordica charantia abbreviata . Some varieties include Momordica charantia ...
Read more