Search / Plant Profile / Eugenia koolauensis

Plant Profile

Koolau Eugenia (Eugenia koolauensis)

This shot is a closeup of the flower. Photo Credit: Waimea

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Myrtaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 138020
Lifeform: Tree, Shrub
Date Inducted in National Collection: 12/17/1990

Description:

Eugenia koolauensis is a member of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It is a small tree or shrub, and can reach 2 - 7 meters (7 - 23 feet) in height. Its branch tips are covered with dense brown hairs and their leathery oval leaves are densely hairy on the lower surface. From February to December, Eugenia koolauensis reveals its white flowers, which grow from the leaf axils on short stalks. Eugenia koolauensis was historically known from Maunaloa on western Moloka`i and from scattered areas on the island of O`ahu. Now it is known only from 8 populations on O`ahu. This species is severely threatened by its limited numbers, which was caused mainly by weed competition and the effects of feral pigs.

Where is Koolau Eugenia (Eugenia koolauensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species exist in dry gulches and ridges in mesic forests dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha or Diospyros sp. From 57 to 437 m (187 to 1433 feet) in elevation (USFWS 2002) and (Wagner et al. 1999). Other associated plant species include Alyxia oliviformis, Bobea elaitor, Carex meyenii, Dicranopteris linearis, Myrsine lessertiana, Nestegis sandwicensis, Pleomele halapepe, Pouteria sandwicensis, Psydrax odorata, Rauvolfia sandwicensis, or Styphelia tameiameiae. (USFWS 2002).

Distribution:

On the island of O`ahu only. From Papali gulch, the north fork of Kamananui Stream, in the regions of Pupukea and Paumalu in the northern Koolau Mountains, Hawaii Loa and Aina Haina, and two disjunct

States & Provinces:

Koolau Eugenia can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Koolau Eugenia (Eugenia koolauensis)?

Waimea Arboretum Foundation

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

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

09/11/2020

Propagation-seed (USFWS 1996)

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to the northern Koolau Mountains of Oahu and western Molokai. The species has not been observed on Molokai since the early 1900's. On Oahu, there are 6 current occurrences with a total of about 200 plants. Threats to the plant and its habitat include alien plants, feral pigs and human disturbance.

David Orr

01/01/2010

Feral pigs. Alien plant species. Possibly fire. Human threat. Stochastic extinction due to small population size. (USFWS 1996)

David Orr

01/01/2010

O`ahu-Papali Gulch, the north fork of Kamananui Stream, in the regions of Aina Haina and Hawaii Loa, and two disjunct populations in the southeastern Koolau Mountains. There are 8 populations remaining with less than 200 individuals (USFWS 2001) and (USFWS 1996).

David Orr

01/01/2010

Propagation-seed (USFWS 1996)

David Orr

01/01/2010

Weeding and some pig control (USFWS 1996). In May 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that a designation of critical habitat was prudent for this species. (USFWS 2002)

David Orr

01/01/2010

Exclosures to protect wild plants from pigs. Weed control. Decrease human threat. Monitoring. (USFWS 1996)

David Orr

01/01/2010

Propagation. Seed banking and germplasm preservation. Ex situ plantings at botanical gardens. Genetic studies. Physiological studies. (USFWS 1996)