Search / Plant Profile / Nototrichium divaricatum

Plant Profile

Na Pali Rockwort (Nototrichium divaricatum)

Closeup of infloresrences. Notice the spreading habit. Photo Credit: K. Wood

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Amaranthaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 157057
Lifeform: Shrub
Date Inducted in National Collection: 09/29/2022

Description:

There are three Nototrichium species endemic to Hawaii, one is endangered, one is apparently secure, and N. divaricatum is listed as a species of concern. This particular species, N. divaricatum, is a shrub that can grow up to 50 centimeters (20 in) tall. The leaves of N. divaricatum are silver-white, and their flowers are tinged purple (New York Botanical Garden [NYBG] 2002). N. divaricatum differs from other species of the genus by its compound, branched inflorescences with divaricate (spreading apart) branches and shorter spikes, 5 to 20 millimeters long with 8 to 30 flowers per spike (Herbst & Wagner 1999).

Where is Na Pali Rockwort (Nototrichium divaricatum) located in the wild?

Habitat:

N. divaricatum is found on precipitous slopes with small pockets of forest and vertical cliffs. They are located at approximately 600 to 1100 meters (2,000 to 3,600 ft) elevation (Herbst & Wagner 1999).Associated species of N. divaricatum include P. mannii (manns bluegrass), Stenogyne campanulata (no common name [NCN]), Lysimachia glutinosa (NCN), Melicope pallida (alani), Nototrichium sp. nov. (Kului), Daubutia sp. (naenae), Acacia koa (koa), Dryopteris unidentata (NCN), Coprosma sp. (pilo), Vaccinium dentataum (NCN), Lipochaeta sp. (nehe), Wilkesia sp. (iliau), Lobelia niihauensis (oha), Chamaesyce sp. (akoko), and Exocarpus sp. (heau).

Distribution:

N. divaricatum is endemic to three valleys on the northwestern part of Kauai (NatureServe 2001).

States & Provinces:

Na Pali Rockwort can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Na Pali Rockwort (Nototrichium divaricatum)?

National Tropical Botanical Garden

Not Sponsored

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

Nototrichium divaricatum is endemic to three valleys on the northwestern side of Kauai Island, Hawaii. The species possibly numbers fewer than 3,000 plants. It is threatened primarily by the large number of feral goats destroying the native vegetation of these valleys. Additional threats include feral pigs, invasive alien plants, and landslides.

01/01/2010

Threats to N. divaricatum include goats, Erigeron karvinskianus (daisy fleabane), Rubus argutus (Florida prickly blackberry), Lantana camara (lantana), Kalanchoe pinnata (air plant), and land slides.

01/01/2010

Number of Populations: 3 (USFWS 2001) Number of plants: >1200 (USFWS 2001)

01/01/2010

None known.

01/01/2010

The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) currently has ex situ holdings of seeds in its seed bank, which represents all three populations.

01/01/2010

1. Secure all wild populations through habitat management. 2. Map genetic diversity in the surviving populations of N. divaricatum. 3. Test the influence of weeding and fencing on populations of N. divaricatum. 4. Conduct pollination biology and reproductive studies. Recommendations derived from M.H. Chapin and M. Maunder.

01/01/2010

1. Establish secure ex situ stocks with full founder representation. 2. Develop proper horticultural protocols and pest management for N. divaricatum. 3. Survey ex situ holdings and conduct molecular finger printing of N. divaricatum. Recommendations derived from M.H. Chapin and M. Maunder.