Blunt Chaff-flower / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Blunt Chaff-flower (Achyranthes mutica)

Photo Credit: David Eickhoff © 2008
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Amaranthaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 154014
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

A member of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), A. mutica is a many branched shrub, with stems 3060 cm long. Flowers are arranged on spikes. It is threatened by habitat loss from threats such as invasive species, fire, and livestock grazing.

Where is Blunt Chaff-flower (Achyranthes mutica) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This shrub typically grows in habitats of dry forests and gulches, found at high altitudes of 920 m.

Distribution:

Currently, this species is known only from the Keawewai Stream area in the Kohala Mountains of Hawai`i on private land. Prior to its rediscovery in 1992, this short-lived perennial is historically known from three collections from opposite ends of the main Hawaiian islands Kauai and Hawaii islands from the 1700-1800s. 

States & Provinces:

Blunt Chaff-flower can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Blunt Chaff-flower (Achyranthes mutica)?

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

  • 10/02/2020
  • Seed Collection

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Seed Collection

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Seed Collection

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Reintroduction

The Volcano Rare Plant Facility has 19 individuals in its nursery and propagated 80 individuals for outplantings in 2013.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Propagation Research

The Volcano Rare Plant Facility has 19 individuals in its nursery and propagated 80 individuals for outplantings in 2013.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Living Collection

The Volcano Rare Plant Facility has 19 individuals in its nursery and propagated 80 individuals for outplantings in 2013.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Reintroduction

Outplanting efforts done by State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.In 2012, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources outplanted 11 individuals of A. mutica within a Natural Area Reserve on Hawaii Island. A fence encompassing approximately 140 acres was constructed to protect the South Kohala population of A. mutica at Kalopi Ranch in 2012.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility.

  • 10/02/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility. Most recently, in 2014, the Lyon Arboretums Seed Conservation Laboratory has 1,059 seeds in storage from a single accession.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/15/2017

Threats include habitat degradation, alien plants, alien animals, and reduced reproductive rigor.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/15/2017

In 2012, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources outplanted 11 individuals of A. mutica within a Natural Area Reserve on Hawaii Island. A fence encompassing approximately 140 acres was constructed to protect the South Kohala population of A. mutica at Kalopi Ranch in 2012. The Volcano Rare Plant Facility has 19 individuals in its nursery and propagated 80 individuals for outplantings in 2013. Most recently, in 2014, the Lyon Arboretums Seed Conservation Laboratory has 1,059 seeds in storage from a single accession.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/15/2017

A. mutica is federally and state listed as endangered. Conservation measures such as re-introductions, captive breeding/artificial propagation and the placement of seed into the genome resource bank are all currently taking place. One of the remaining wild subpopulations is monitored and augmented by private landowners.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/13/2017

Two remaining sites exist containing two populations with at least 50 individuals left.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/13/2017

Seed storage efforts are being performed by the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and The Volcano Rare Plant Facility. Outplanting efforts done by State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
  • 07/13/2017

Ex-situ collection needs include development of proper horticultural and pest management protocols, surveys of ex situ holdings and conduct molecular fingerprinting, conducting of pollination biology and seed dispersal studies, as well as seed storage and propagation for restoration and outplanting.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Achyranthes mutica
Authority A. Gray
Family Amaranthaceae
CPC Number 23
ITIS 20758
USDA ACMU2
Duration Perennial
Common Names Blunt Chaff Flower
Associated Scientific Names Achyranthes nelsonii | Achyranthes mutica
Distribution Currently, this species is known only from the Keawewai Stream area in the Kohala Mountains of Hawai`i on private land. Prior to its rediscovery in 1992, this short-lived perennial is historically known from three collections from opposite ends of the main Hawaiian islands Kauai and Hawaii islands from the 1700-1800s. 
State Rank
State State Rank
Hawaii S1
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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