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)?

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

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.