Saw-tooth Logwood / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Saw-tooth Logwood (Xylosma crenata)

Young specimen. Note the dark glossy green, ovate leaves. Photo Credit: Nellie Sugii
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Flacourtiaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 145681
  • Lifeform: Tree
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

Xylosma crenatum is a unisexual (produces either male or female flowers) tree which grows up to 46 feet tall. It was first collected in 1917 by Charles Forbes but remained undiscovered for decades due to a misidentification. Over 50 years later, a second collection was made in 1968 by Robert Hobdy along the banks of Mohihi Stream at the edge of Alakai Swamp, Kaua`i. It was later recognized as a separate distinct species in 1972. Currently, it is known only from the island of Kaua`i in 4 different populations consisting of a total of 13 individuals. Two of these populations have only a single plant. Very little is known about this species as to when it flowers, what pollinates it, how long it lives, and what kind of environmental requirements are needed in order for it to grow properly.

Where is Saw-tooth Logwood (Xylosma crenata) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Diverse koa-ohia montane mesic forest at an elevation of about 975-1,065 meters. Sometimes along stream banks. (USFWS 1995)

Distribution:

Mohihi Stream, bordering the Alakai Swamp, Kaua`i Honopu Valley in Kokee State Park, Kaua`i Nawaimaka Valley in Na Pali Kona forest Reserve, Kaua`i Mahanaloa Valley, Kaua`i Nualolo Trail, Kau

States & Provinces:

Saw-tooth Logwood can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Saw-tooth Logwood (Xylosma crenata)?

  • Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    Bank of America-Hawai`I

    Mr. Warren K. Luke

    Mr. and Mrs. James Ching Wo

    Bronze Sponsor

    Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Budge

    Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Friend

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Endemic to western Kauai. Fewer than 20 individuals are currently known. The species and its habitats are threatened by pigs, deer, goats, and a number of alien plant species.

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    Alien plant competition Feral pigs Small population size Human disturbance (USFWS 1995)

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    1 site (Kaua`i) 4 populations 13 individuals (USFWS 2001)

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    Propagation Seed storage (USFWS 1995)

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    Fencing completed for the Kuia NAR site on Nualolo Trail. Plans are being made to outplant this species. (USFWS 1995) In January, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that a designation of critical habitat was prudent for this species. (USFWS 2002)

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    Feral control Fencing Alien plant species control (USFWS 1995, 2001)

    Nellie Sugii
    • 01/01/2010

    Seed banking Propagation Genetic studies Biological and physiological studies Population studies (USFWS 1995)

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Xylosma crenata
    Authority (H. St. John) H. St. John
    Family Flacourtiaceae
    CPC Number 4433
    ITIS 507443
    USDA XYCR
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Saw-tooth Logwood | sawtooth logwood
    Associated Scientific Names Antidesma crenatum | Xylosma crenata
    Distribution Mohihi Stream, bordering the Alakai Swamp, Kaua`i Honopu Valley in Kokee State Park, Kaua`i Nawaimaka Valley in Na Pali Kona forest Reserve, Kaua`i Mahanaloa Valley, Kaua`i Nualolo Trail, Kau
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Young specimen. Note the dark glossy green, ovate leaves. Photo Credit: Nellie Sugii

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