Kauai Nehe / Center For Plant Conservation
Search / Plant Profile / Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha
Plant Profile

Kauai Nehe (Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha)

This shot shows the leaves with a flower. Photo Credit: Waimea
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 137250
  • Lifeform: Subshrub, Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

Lipochaeta micrantha var. micrantha is a member of the aster family. It is a woody perennial herb with somewhat triangular and hairy leaves. The flower heads are in clusters of 2 or 3, often purple near the base and along the midrib. Historically, Lipochaeta micrantha var. micrantha was found on Kaua`i from Hanpepe Valley and in the Koloa District. Today, only two to four populations consisting of 150-570 individuals remain in the Koaie Canyon area.

Where is Kauai Nehe (Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Diverse mesic forest at an elevation of 300 to 400 meters (USFWS 1995) and (Wagner et al. 1999).

Distribution:

Kaua`i-Koaie Canyon (USFWS 1995)

States & Provinces:

Kauai Nehe can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Kauai Nehe (Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha)?

  • Waimea Arboretum Foundation

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Cooke

    Bronze Sponsor

    Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation

    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

    • 09/19/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Propagation-seeds, cuttings (USFWS 1995)

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    This variety is endemic to the leeward (southwestern) side of the island of Kauai. Fewer than 5 populations are currently known, totaling fewer than 600 plants. The major threats to this variety are feral goats and pigs, and alien plants.

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Habitat degradation by feral ungulates. Alien plant competition. Feral pigs. Feral goats. Stochastic extinction and/or reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of existing populations. (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    2-4 populations totaling 150 to 570 individuals on Kaua`i (USFWS 1995).

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Propagation-seeds, cuttings (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Established ex situ collection, otherwise none (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Feral ungulate control Weed control Fencing Outplanting Monitoring (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Propagation Genetic studies Physiological studies Seed banking (USFWS 1995)

    MORE

    Be the first to post an update!

    Nomenclature
    Taxon Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha
    Authority (Nutt.) W.L. Wagner & H. Rob.
    Family Asteraceae
    CPC Number 8204
    ITIS 528830
    USDA LIMUM
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Kauai nehe | nehe
    Associated Scientific Names Lipochaeta micrantha | Lipochaeta micrantha var. micrantha | Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha | Melanthera micrantha subsp. micrantha
    Distribution Kaua`i-Koaie Canyon (USFWS 1995)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    This shot shows the leaves with a flower. Photo Credit: Waimea

    This shot, from another angle, shows the flower among branches and leaves. Photo Credit: Waimea

    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