Gibson's Cyanea / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Gibson's Cyanea (Cyanea gibsonii)

  • Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Campanulaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 147917
  • Lifeform: Tree
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

This long-lived perennial tree is endangered and is endemic to the island of Lanai (USFWS 2008). It is a palm-like tree up to 1-7 m tall. Flowers are blackish purple on the outside, white or pale lilac inside.

Where is Gibson's Cyanea (Cyanea gibsonii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species occurs in wet forests and shrub lands in gulch bottoms or on gulch sides (Natureserve 2009).

Distribution:

The species is found on the island of Lanai today.

States & Provinces:

Gibson's Cyanea can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Gibson's Cyanea (Cyanea gibsonii)?

  • Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

    Not Sponsored
    Conservation Actions
    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

    • 10/05/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Olinda Rare Plant Facility (2013) has 15 individuals of C. gibsonii in propagation at its nursery.

    • 10/05/2020
      • Living Collection

    Olinda Rare Plant Facility (2013) has 15 individuals of C. gibsonii in propagation at its nursery.

    • 10/05/2020
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    There are more than 8,400 seeds of C. gibsonii in storage at the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Seed Conservation Laboratory

    • 10/05/2020
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    Seeds were collected from individuals growing at Olinda Rare Plant Facility and given to Harold L. Lyon Arboretum for storage

    • 10/05/2020
      • Seed Collection

    Fruit was collected from a single individual at Hauola Gulch and given to Lyon Arboretum.

    • 10/05/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Six basal sprouts from several individuals were collected on Lanai for propagation at the Olinda Rare Plant Facility

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    Threats include browsing by neighboring deer, encroaching exotic species of plants, small number of individuals, climate change destruction or degradation of habitat and stochastic events.

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    3 populations remain with only 10 individuals.

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    Six basal sprouts from several individuals were collected on Lanai for propagation at the Olinda Rare Plant Facility. Fruit was collected from a single individual at Hauola Gulch and given to Lyon Arboretum. Seeds were collected from individuals growing at Olinda Rare Plant Facility and given to Harold L. Lyon Arboretum for storage. There are more than 8,400 seeds of C. gibsonii in storage at the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Seed Conservation Laboratory. Olinda Rare Plant Facility (2013) has 15 individuals of C. gibsonii in propagation at its nursery.

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    Management efforts include captive propagation for genetic storage and reintroduction, invasive plant monitoring and control, predator/herbivore monitoring and control, surveys inventories, population viability monitoring and analysis, and listing and critical habitat designation (USFW 2012).

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    Conservation needs include listing and critical habitat designation.

    Nellie Sugii, Kahoali`i K. Keahi-Wood
    • 07/15/2017

    Ex-situ collection needs include surveys/inventories, captive propagation genetic storage and reintroduction, ungulate monitoring and control, invasive plant monitoring and control, predator/herbivore monitoring and control, population viability monitoring and analysis, climate change adaptation strategy, and alliance and partnership development

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Cyanea gibsonii
    Authority Hillebr.
    Family Campanulaceae
    CPC Number 8430
    ITIS 34700
    USDA CYMAG
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Haha
    Associated Scientific Names Cyanea gibsonii | Cyanea macrostegia ssp. gibsonii | Delissea gibsonii
    Distribution The species is found on the island of Lanai today.
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

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