Delissea rhytidosperma
| Delissea rhytidosperma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Delissea |
| Species: | D. rhytidosperma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Delissea rhytidosperma | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Delissea rhytidosperma is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae.[2][3] It is known by the common names Kauaʻi delissea, Kauaʻi leechleaf delissea, and leechleaf delissea. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the island of Kauaʻi. It is critically endangered or extinct in the wild.[1]
Some populations that were formerly included in the species D. rhytidosperma are now called Delissea kauaiensis.[4] It is a federally listed endangered species.
Description
Delissea rhytidosperma, a Hawaiian lobelioid, is a shrub which grows up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) tall. The leaves have lance-shaped or nearly oval blades up to 19 centimeters long. The tubular flowers have greenish or purplish petals and distinctive hairs next to the anthers.[5]
The plant's natural habitat is rocky cliffsides in moist forests dominated by Acacia koa. This habitat has been destroyed and degraded by the action of feral pigs, goats, and mule deer,[4] and by exotic plant species. Germination and establishment are further limited by non-native rodents, snails, and grasses.[6]
References
- ^ a b Walsh, S. (2015). "Delissea rhytidosperma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015 e.T79862837A79862844. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T79862837A79862844.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Delissea rhytidosperma H.Mann". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Delissea rhytidosperma H.Mann". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ a b USFWS. Delissea rhytidosperma Five-year Review. January 2008.
- ^ Delissea rhytidosperma. Center for Plant Conservation.
- ^ Erwin, Tracy L.; T.P. Young (2010). "A native besieged: the effects of non-native frugivores and ground vegetation on fruit removal in a highly endangered Hawaiʻian shrub, Delissea rhytidosperma (Campanulaceae)". Pacific Science. 64: 33–43. doi:10.2984/64.1.033. S2CID 55994391.
External links
- USDA Plants Profile
- The Nature Conservancy Archived 2002-11-23 at the Wayback Machine