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Plant Profile

Lava-field Jackbean (Canavalia pubescens)

A perennial climber in the pea family (Fabaceae), is currently found only on the island of Maui, although it was also historically known from Niihau, Kauai, and Lanai. In April of 2010, the species totaled as many as 500 individuals; however, with the recent loss of the plants at Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, C. pubescens may currently total fewer than 200 individuals at a single location. Photo Credit: Hank Oppenheimer//US Fish and Wildlife Service © 2012

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Fabaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 155300
Lifeform: Forb/herb, Vine
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

This endemic vine produces a flower of many colors ranging from dark red to pink (rarely white) with white spots and streaks towards its base (Warren W, et al. 1999). After flowering, awikiwiki form large flat pods containing tan to dark reddish brown seeds (Native Plants 2009). In the past, early Hawaiians used the stems of this plant to build fishing nets and its leaves and bark for medicinal uses, but today, it is threatened by invasive plants and the grazing of introduced livestock to the areas.

Where is Lava-field Jackbean (Canavalia pubescens) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This Canavalia species is a twining vine of dry grasslands, shrublands, and forests. It is often at the coast or a short distance inland (IUCN 2003). It is found in these islands' dryer environments, typically lava fields and dry forests, where it can perform nitrogen fixation.

Distribution:

The lavafield jackbean's native range includes the islands of Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, Lana'i, and Maui.

States & Provinces:

Lava-field Jackbean can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Lava-field Jackbean (Canavalia pubescens)?

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

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood

07/13/2017

Threats include feral pigs, weeds, possibly invertebrates, and humans interference.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood

07/13/2017

Seven remaining sites exist on the island of Maui with less than 200 total individuals.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood

07/13/2017

Conservation needs include monitoring, enclosure construction, alien plant control, and feral pig control.

Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood

07/13/2017

Ex-situ collections need seed banking, optimization of propagation protocols and genetic study.