Oahu pohe hiwa / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Oahu pohe hiwa (Viola kauaensis var. hosakae)

  • Global Rank: N/A
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Violaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: XXXXXX
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

A rhizomatous herb, this Viola variety is endemic to the Hawiian Island, O`ahu. Starting at its roots, this herb grows from rhizome stipules and produces solitary white flowers. A capsule fruit forms from these flowers, in hopes that its seeds with continue the creeping rhizome from which it grows. This new variety was officially distinguished from eight other Hawaiian violet species only recently, in 2014. Previously, it was recognized as its own taxon.

Where is Oahu pohe hiwa (Viola kauaensis var. hosakae) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This violet species has been observed in mossy habitats on nearly vertical slopes or flat ground, which is unique from the other varieties, that are typically found in open bogs and cloud forests. Along with from moss, the herb also grows on unsaturated exposed soil.

Distribution:

Historically, V. kauaensis var. hosakae was first observed and collected in the gulches of the Ko`olau Range, but have been observed since. Havran (2014) and coauthors examined two collections from a state sanctioned trail in Wahiawa on O`ahu. It is believed that there is only one population of this variety to exist.

States & Provinces:

Oahu pohe hiwa can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Oahu pohe hiwa (Viola kauaensis var. hosakae)?

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

Clarice Mendoza
  • 09/08/2017

One population remains, consisting of less than 250 individuals.

Clarice Mendoza
  • 09/08/2017

Due to its limited population size, damage from events caused by global climate change can wipe out any chance of genetic diversity that remaining Viola species may have.

Clarice Mendoza
  • 09/08/2017

Ecological threats include competition with invasive grasses, such as common carpetgrass, and habitat degradation by feral ungulates.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Viola kauaensis var. hosakae
Authority (H. St. John ) Havran & Ching Harbin
Family Violaceae
CPC Number 44901
ITIS
USDA VIKAH
Duration Perennial
Common Names Oahu pohe hiwa
Associated Scientific Names Viola hosakae | Viola kauaensis var. hosakae
Distribution Historically, V. kauaensis var. hosakae was first observed and collected in the gulches of the Ko`olau Range, but have been observed since. Havran (2014) and coauthors examined two collections from a state sanctioned trail in Wahiawa on O`ahu. It is believed that there is only one population of this variety to exist.
State Rank
State State Rank
Hawaii
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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