Search / Plant Profile / Cyanea asarifolia

Plant Profile

Gingerleaf Cyanea (Cyanea asarifolia)

Closeup of inflorescences and leaves on unbranched specimen. Note the white and purple coloration of the corolla. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Huppman

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Campanulaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 133722
Lifeform: Shrub
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993

Description:

Discovered fairly recently in 1970, Cyanea asarifolia was known only from a single population of five or six plants above the bed of Anahola Stream on the island of Kaua`i. Recent attempts to relocate this population have failed and this population is now thought to be extinct. In 1991, another population of 14 mature plants and 5 seedlings was discovered at the headwaters of the Wailua River in central Kaua`i. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki heavily damaged the Cyanea asarifolia population, destroying all but 4 or 5 young plants. This single remaining population continues to be vulnerable to hurricanes, natural rock slides, competition with alien plants and animals, and over collecting (USFWS 1987). Cyanea asarifolia is an attractive small shrub with heart-shaped leaves and a beautiful inflorescence comprised of up to 30-40 white with purple striped flowers (Wagner et al. 1999).

Where is Gingerleaf Cyanea (Cyanea asarifolia) located in the wild?

Habitat:

This species typically grows in pockets of soil on sheer rock cliffs in lowland wet forests at an elevation of approximately 330 meters (1,080 feet) (Wagner, et al. 1999 & USFWS 1995).

Distribution:

Typically, this Cyanea species has been observed in the headwaters of the Wailua River in central Kaua`i and Hawai`i (USFWS 1995).

States & Provinces:

Gingerleaf Cyanea can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Gingerleaf Cyanea (Cyanea asarifolia)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Conservation Actions

09/09/2020

Seed storage

09/09/2020

Ex situ propagation

09/09/2020

Ex situ propagation

09/07/2020

Kaua`i District Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has done outplanting and protective fencing for 9 Cyanea asarifolia that have been outplanted in the ""Blue Hole"" area of Mount Waialeale

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Only 2 occurrences of this species have been recorded, both on the island of Kauai. Only 1 occurrence, consisting of 4 or 5 plants, remains. These plants are threatened by feral pigs, slugs, rodents, and landslides.

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Stochastic extinction Reduced reproductive rigor Over-collecting Alien plants Alien animals (USFWS 2001, 1995)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

1 site 1 population At least 10 individuals left (USFWS 2001)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Ex situ propagation (Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, National Tropical Botanical Garden) Seed storage (National Tropical Botanical Garden) Outplanting (Kauai Department of Forestry and Wildlife) (USFWS 2001, 1995)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Kaua`i District Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has done outplanting and protective fencing for 9 Cyanea asarifolia that have been outplanted in the ""Blue Hole"" area of Mount Waialeale. No other additional specific conservation measures are being conducted. (USFWS 1995)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Propagation and maintenance of adequate genetic stock ex situ should be undertaken immediately. Measures to protect the remaining wild individuals especially from feral pigs, slugs and rodents should be undertaken. (USFWS 2001, 1995)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Seed banking Genetic study Reproductive biology Optimization of propagation protocols Public education awareness programs (USFWS 1995)