/ Center For Plant Conservation
Search / Plant Profile / Polyscias bisattenuata
Plant Profile

(Polyscias bisattenuata)

Photo Credit: Natalia Tangalin ©
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Araliaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 818663
  • Lifeform: Tree
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

An endemic member of the ivy family, the species has an inflorescence that produces brilliant pink flowers, organized on a raceme, which mature into fruits that leave your hands deep magenta when you pick them.

Where is (Polyscias bisattenuata) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Typically, this species can be found on fern covered slopes in forest habitats of all kinds: hardwood, woodland, shrubland, and chaparral. Mesic to wet climates suit P. bisattenuata best.

Distribution:

The P. bisattenuata is a sprawling tree that grows on the steep ascents of the Ha`upu and Kahili regions of southeastern Kauai. There are currently 40-50 individual plants growing on Ha'upu Peak at an elevation of around 600 meters.

States & Provinces:

can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve (Polyscias bisattenuata)?

  • National Tropical Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

    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

    • 10/13/2020
      • Living Collection

    The National Tropical Botanical Garden nursery planted a total of 44,000 P. bisattenuata seeds in 2016 to produce 300 seedlings. These seedlings were transplanted and are taken care of in the nursery in hopes of later reintroduction to its native range. The nursery is awaiting another 10,000 seeds to undergo assisted germination.

    • 10/13/2020
      • Propagation Research

    The National Tropical Botanical Garden nursery planted a total of 44,000 P. bisattenuata seeds in 2016 to produce 300 seedlings. These seedlings were transplanted and are taken care of in the nursery in hopes of later reintroduction to its native range. The nursery is awaiting another 10,000 seeds to undergo assisted germination.

    • 10/13/2020
      • Seed Collection

    The National Tropical Botanical Garden nursery planted a total of 44,000 P. bisattenuata seeds in 2016 to produce 300 seedlings. These seedlings were transplanted and are taken care of in the nursery in hopes of later reintroduction to its native range. The nursery is awaiting another 10,000 seeds to undergo assisted germination.

    Clarice Mendoza
    • 09/01/2017

    The National Tropical Botanical Garden had volunteers make rat-resistant bags to be placed over the remaining wild P. bisattenuata. These bags protected over 6,600 immature fruits so they can fully mature for later propagations.

    Clarice Mendoza
    • 09/01/2017

    The National Tropical Botanical Garden nursery planted a total of 44,000 P. bisattenuata seeds in 2016 to produce 300 seedlings. These seedlings were transplanted and are taken care of in the nursery in hopes of later reintroduction to its native range. The nursery is awaiting another 10,000 seeds to undergo assisted germination.

    Clarice Mendoza
    • 09/01/2017

    The fruits of P. bisattenuata attract its most threatening predators: rats. Rats heavily predate on the fruits when they are immature, preventing them from further reproduction. In addition to this threat, it lacks a natural pollinator in its native habitat. Other threats include insect herbivory and invasive alien plant species.

    Clarice Mendoza
    • 09/01/2017

    There are 40 total P. bisattenuata trees remaining in its native range, divided among four subpopulations on Kauai.

    MORE

    Be the first to post an update!

    Nomenclature
    Taxon Polyscias bisattenuata
    Authority (Sherff ) Lowry & G M. Plunkett
    Family Araliaceae
    CPC Number 44874
    ITIS
    USDA
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names
    Associated Scientific Names Tetraplasandra bisattenuata | Polyscias bisattenuata
    Distribution The P. bisattenuata is a sprawling tree that grows on the steep ascents of the Ha`upu and Kahili regions of southeastern Kauai. There are currently 40-50 individual plants growing on Ha'upu Peak at an elevation of around 600 meters.
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii SNR
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Photo Credit: Natalia Tangalin ©

    Donate to CPC to Save this Species

    CPC secures rare plants for future generations by coordinating on-the-ground conservation and training the next generation of plant conservation professionals. Donate today to help save rare plants from extinction.

    Donate Today