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Plant Profile

Maui Chaff-flower (Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata)

This shot shows many of the long florescences on this shrub. Photo Credit: Nellie Sugii
  • Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Amaranthaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 161317
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

Achyranthes rotundata is a shrub that ranges in height from 1.5 to 6.5 feet tall. It is covered in short, silvery hears, being inconspicuous flowers in a long inflorescence.

Where is Maui Chaff-flower (Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Low elevation, open, dry forest remnants and open thickets, on talus or rocky slopes, and on coralline plains (Wagner et al. 1999).

Distribution:

Western coast of O`ahu (Wagner et al. 1999) and (USFWS 2001)

States & Provinces:

Maui Chaff-flower can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Maui Chaff-flower (Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata)?

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

  • 10/11/2020
  • Propagation Research

The seed storage characteristics and propagation techniques for this species have been studied (Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database 2002; Yoshinaga 2002)

  • 10/11/2020
  • Orthodox Seed Banking

The seed storage characteristics and propagation techniques for this species have been studied (Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database 2002; Yoshinaga 2002)

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

Recorded from the islands of Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai. It is currently known from only two small areas on the island of Oahu. Fewer than 2,000 individuals are believed to remain. Most of the taxon's habitat on Oahu has been destroyed by urban development and agriculture. Additional threats to the taxon include habitat degradation by invading alien plants, and fire.

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Destruction or modification of habitat Predation by the parasitic vine, Cassytha filiformis (USFWS 1986)

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Approximately 2000-3000 individuals in 4 populations on O`ahu (USFWS 2001).

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

The seed storage characteristics and propagation techniques for this species have been studied (Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database 2002; Yoshinaga 2002)

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Nomenclature
Taxon Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata
Authority Hillebr.
Family Amaranthaceae
CPC Number 26
ITIS 181935
USDA ACSPR2
Duration Perennial
Common Names Maui chaff flower | round chaff-flower | round-leaved chaff-flower
Associated Scientific Names Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata | Achyranthes splendens var. reflecta
Distribution Western coast of O`ahu (Wagner et al. 1999) and (USFWS 2001)
State Rank
State State Rank
Hawaii S1
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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