Search / Plant Profile / Stenogyne kanehoana

Plant Profile

Oahu Stenogyne (Stenogyne kanehoana)

Closeup of the oblong leaves. Note the densely tomentose and crenate habit. Photo Credit: Winifred Singeo

Global Rank: GH - Possibly Extinct
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Lamiaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 140665
Lifeform: Vine, Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993

Description:

Stenogyne kanehoana was first discovered by Harold St. John in 1934. In 1992, Stenogyne kanehoana was listed under the Endangered Species Act as Endangered: only 2-4 individuals, located on private land, were known to exist. Sometime in the years after listing, all of these plants were extirpated. From that point on, this species was assumed to be extinct, until a single, previously unknown individual was found in the wild in the year 2000 (DLNR 2013). With the discovery of this one plant, a number of individuals and organizations have mobilized to try to re-establish viable populations of this 'on the brink' species. Still the last wild individual was recorded in 2013. There have been no sightings since (Chau 2015). Stenogyne kanehoana is a climbing vine that is a member of the mint family, and so has stems that are square. These stems grow up to 2 meters long and have thin, densely hairy and oppositely arranged leaves on them. Flowers occur in clusters of 3-6 and have white to yellow lobes tipped in pink (USFWS 1992). Fruit consists of 4 fleshy, black nutlets (Wagner et al. 1999).

Where is Oahu Stenogyne (Stenogyne kanehoana) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Occuring on open ridge top in mesic forest, the Oahu stenogyne grows at elevations from 560 to 1170 meters (Chau 2015).

Distribution:

Found in the Waianae Mountains on the island of Oahu, Hawaii (DLNR 2013).

States & Provinces:

Oahu Stenogyne can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Oahu Stenogyne (Stenogyne kanehoana)?

Honolulu Botanical Gardens

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 07/24/23

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

09/30/2020

Tissue culture work will begin soon as rooted explants from the recently rediscovered plant are ready. They are currently being grown in the greenhouse at Lyon Arboretum. (Sugii 2001)

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

This species has been found in only a single drainage in the central Waianae Mountains of Oahu. The last known wild plants died in 1996. Formerly cultivated Stenogyne kanehoana has also died. Threats to the habitat of the species include feral pigs and a number of alien plant species.

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

The only known plant does not set seed, and so is unable to naturally reproduce itself. This individual is also embedded in Lantana, an extremely invasive species on the islands of Hawaii. Because of this, the greatest threat to the survival of this spe

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

This species was brought back from the ""Extinct"" list by the discovery of a single large plant in the latter part of 2000 (Koob 2001)

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Tissue culture work will begin soon as rooted explants from the recently rediscovered plant are ready. They are currently being grown in the greenhouse at Lyon Arboretum. (Sugii 2001) Pieces of the rediscovered plant were also distributed to individuals with past experience in growing this species, to see if they can successfully propagate and raise the plants. (Koob 2001)

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

There are currently no live plants growing at the Honolulu Botanical Gardens.

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Information on susceptibility to diseases and pests. Symbiotic relationships, if any. Optimal soil and water relationships for maintaining the species on a long-term basis.

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Propagation and plant maintenance information.