Schiedea lydgatei

No Common Name

Description

Schiedea lydgatei is a low growing, glabrous perennial in the pink family with stems, branched and woody at the base, that reach a length of 4-16 in (10-40 cm). The opposite, three-veined, and elliptic leaves are 0.8-1.8 in (2-4.5 cm) long and 0.2-0.6 in (0.5-1.5 cm) wide. Bisexual flowers are arranged in loosely spreading clusters 4-6.6 in (10-17 cm) long. The flowers usually comprise five distinct but overlapping, narrowly oval, and green sepals; five nectaries; 10 stamens; and usually three styles. Petals are lacking. The capsules open when mature to reveal dark rufous seeds. The opposite, thin, three-veined leaves with petioles and the smooth, open flower clusters with relatively larger, green sepals separate this species from other members of the genus.

Habitat

S. lydgatei is found along ridges and on cattle trails in dry to mesic grasslands, shrublands, and forests with scattered native and alien trees at elevations of 2,000-2,100 ft (610-640 m), on East Molokai, Hawaii. Associated plant species include 'a'ali'i, 'ohi'a, pukiawe, and uluhe.

Distribution

Historically, S. lydgatei was found in Kalae, Poholua, Makolelau, and Ohia Gulch on East Molokai.

This species is now known from Makakupai, Kawela, and Makolelau. The four extant populations of no more than 1,000 total individuals are most pressured by a pervasive fire threat.

Threats

The major threats to S. lydgatei are fire, habitat degradation, and competition with molasses grass. Because fire is a pervasive threat in the dry, wind-swept habitat of S. lydgatei, a single fire could destroy a majority of one or more of the populations.

Conservation and Recovery

S. lydgatei seeds have been collected by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, but no conservation measures have been undertaken.

Contacts

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/

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Remote Islands Ecological Services Field Office
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122
P.O. Box 50088
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-5000
Telephone: (808) 541-1201
Fax: (808) 541-1216
http://www.r1.fws.gov/pacific/

Reference

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 8 October 1992. "De-termination of Endangered or Threatened Status for 16 Plants from the Island of Molokai, Hawaii." Federal Register. 57 (196): 46325-46340.