Search / Plant Profile / Clermontia pyrularia

Plant Profile

`Oha (Clermontia pyrularia)

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Campanulaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 136802
Lifeform: Tree
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/09/1992

Description:

Named for the pear shape of their fruit, there are likely less than five trees of Clermontia pyrularia left in the wild. These trees are only found on the island of Hawai'i on the facing slopes of two neighboring mountains. The few remaining plants are in extreme danger due to their low numbers and competition from invasive exotics. This short-lived perennial is a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). It grows as a tree, and has finely-toothed leaves with winged stalks. Its flower and fruit are visible during the months of November and December. This species differs from others in its genus because of its winged petioles, green calyx lobes, two-lipped whitish-green flowers, and the pear shape of its fruit. (USFWS 2002)

Where is `Oha (Clermontia pyrularia) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Koa and 'ohi'a dominated montane wet forests and subalpine dry forests at elevations between 3000 and 7000 feet (USFWS 1994). Associated species include Lythrum maritimum (pukamole), and Rubus hawaiensis ('akala) (USFWS 1994).

Distribution:

Found on the northeastern slope of Mauna Kea, the western slope of Mauna Loa and the saddle (area in-between the two volcanoes) on the island of Hawaii (USFWS 1994).

States & Provinces:

`Oha can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve `Oha (Clermontia pyrularia)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Assigned 07/21/23

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 the island of Hawaii. The species has been recorded from the eastern slope of Mauna Kea, the western slope of Mauna Loa, and the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Only one population of 3 plants is known to be extant. It is on the eastern slope of Mauna Kea. The biggest threats to the survival of the remaining plants are alien plants, cattle and pigs.

01/01/2010

Primary threats to this species (as stated by [USFWS 2002]) include: Competition with non-native plants Fruit and seed predation by rats A scattered distribution of few populations and a small number of individuals, making the species extremely vuln

01/01/2010

This species is currently known in the wild in one populations composed of several individuals on State-owned land. There are also two outplanted populations on land nearby on State and Federally-owned lands. (USFWS 2002).

01/01/2010

None known.

01/01/2010

Two populations have been outplanted on State and Federal lands (USFWS 2002).

01/01/2010

Monitor wild and outplanted populations to determine why seedlings are not surviving to maturity. Manage to eliminate competition and harm from non-native plants and animals.

01/01/2010

Assess genetic diversity of known wild population and attempt to capture that diversity in outplanted and ex situ populations.