On 6 May 2019 National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) Research Biologist, Kenneth R. Wood, collected fruit from Laau Ridge, Kauai, Hawaii (Metrosideros-Cheirodendron-Dicranopteris montane wet forest). There was only a single fruiting plant present (2 meters tall with single stem) yielding over 16,000 seeds. One-quarter of the seeds are backed up at NLGRP, with 12,000 seeds retained at NTBG. Of these, seeds were divided for real time longevity testing under three separate environmental conditions (relative humidity and temperature). Associated species included Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Broussaisia arguta, Coprosma kauensis, Perrottetia sandwicensis, Psychotria hexandra, Nertera granadensis, Astelia argyrocoma, Cyrtandra longifolia, Stenogyne purpurea, Melicope clusiifolia, M. kavaiensis, Myrsine wawraea, M. lessertiana, Kadua affinis, Smilax melastomifolia, Pittosporum gayanum, Vaccinium calycina, V. dentatum, Ilex anomala, Dubautia laxa, D. paleacea, Clermontia fauriei, Lobelia villosa, Trematolobelia kauaiensis, Gahnia vitiensis, var. kauaiensis, Cibotium menziesii, C. glaucum, Sadleria pallida, S. cyatheoides, Dryopteris glabra, Athyrium microphyllum, terrestrially dominated by Peperomia hesperomannii with a great diversity of bryophytes. Threats include Pigs, Hedychium gardnerianum, Juncus planifolius, Sacciolepis indica, Andropogon glomerata, Rubus rosifolius, R. argutus, Ageratum conyzoides, Erechtites valerianifolia, Conyza bonariensis, Emilia fosbergii, Erigeron karvinskianus, Youngia japonica, Sphaeropteris cooperi, Clidemia hirta.

On 6 May 2019 National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) Research Biologist, Kenneth R. Wood, collected fruit from Laau Ridge, Kauai, Hawaii (Metrosideros-Cheirodendron-Dicranopteris montane wet forest). There was only a single fruiting plant present (2 meters tall with single stem) yielding over 16,000 seeds. One-quarter of the seeds are backed up at NLGRP, with 12,000 seeds retained at NTBG. Of these, seeds were divided for real time longevity testing under three separate environmental conditions (relative humidity and temperature).

Associated species included  Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Broussaisia arguta, Coprosma kauensis, Perrottetia sandwicensis, Psychotria hexandra, Nertera granadensis, Astelia argyrocoma, Cyrtandra longifolia, Stenogyne purpurea, Melicope clusiifolia, M. kavaiensis, Myrsine wawraea, M. lessertiana, Kadua affinis, Smilax melastomifolia, Pittosporum gayanum, Vaccinium calycina, V. dentatum, Ilex anomala, Dubautia laxa, D. paleacea, Clermontia fauriei, Lobelia villosa, Trematolobelia kauaiensis, Gahnia vitiensis, var. kauaiensis, Cibotium menziesii, C. glaucum, Sadleria pallida, S. cyatheoides, Dryopteris glabra, Athyrium microphyllum, terrestrially dominated by Peperomia hesperomannii with a great diversity of bryophytes. Threats include Pigs, Hedychium gardnerianum, Juncus planifolius, Sacciolepis indica, Andropogon glomerata, Rubus rosifolius, R. argutus, Ageratum conyzoides, Erechtites valerianifolia, Conyza bonariensis, Emilia fosbergii, Erigeron karvinskianus, Youngia japonica, Sphaeropteris cooperi, Clidemia hirta.


Initial viability tests commenced 5 June 2019 and will be monitored every two weeks until either every seed germinates or dies or until one year has elapsed. To date 40% (0.18 s.d.) of seeds sown have germinated (indicated by radicle emergence).

With funding through Kew Millennium Seed Bank via CPC, we have initiated investigations into ex situ seed storage behavior, specifically with regards to -18C sensitivity.

In April 2019, NTBG Science and Conservation Intern, Shyla Villanueva was awarded a grant through Kew Millennium Seed Bank via CPC to collect and store seeds.