Search / Plant Profile / Viola lanaiensis

Plant Profile

Hawaii Violet (Viola lanaiensis)

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Violaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 154299
Lifeform: Shrub, Forb/herb, Subshrub
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993

Description:

Viola lanaiensis is one of seven species of violets native to the Hawaiian Islands, and is one of three species of Hawaiian violets listed as endangered by both Federal and State governments. Viola lanaiensis is restricted to the island of Lana`i, where fewer than 80 plants still survive in scattered sites on ridges and slopes of Lanaihale in dry to mesic forest. The introduction of axis deer and mouflon sheep to Lana`i have likely played a major role in the disappearance of Viola lanaiensis. Currently, the remaining wild plants are enclosed within protective fencing to prevent browsing and grazing activities. Viola lanaiensis, as well as the other Hawaiian violets, possess woody stems, which is unique amongst the members of the Violet family. Viola lanaiensis produces small flowers that are white and purple tinged, and lance-shaped leaves which form clusters on its stem tips.

Where is Hawaii Violet (Viola lanaiensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Viola lanaiensis has been observed on moderate to steep slopes from lower gulches to ridgetops, 850 to 980 meters in elevation in mesic to wet forest.

Distribution:

This species is found in Lana`ihale, Lana`i.

States & Provinces:

Hawaii Violet can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Hawaii Violet (Viola lanaiensis)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Conservation Actions

10/01/2020

Seed banking (National Tropical Botanical Garden)

10/01/2020

Propagation (Harold L. Lyon Arboretum) (USFWS 1995) and (Nellie Sugii Pers. Comm. 2001)

10/01/2020

Seed banking (National Tropical Botanical Garden)

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

G1S1.1 Endemic to the island of Lanai. This species is restricted to the moist and wet forests of Lanai. These habitats are limited to an 8 km long strip along the summit ridge of the island. There are only 3 current occurrences, totaling fewer than 90 plants. The species and its habitat are threatened by deer and a number of alien plant species.

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Browsing by deer Alien plant competition Development Invertebrates Small gene pool (USFWS 1995, 2001)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

4 sites 4 populations Less than 80 individuals (Recovery Plan 1995) and (USFWS 2001)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Seed banking (National Tropical Botanical Garden) Propagation (Harold L. Lyon Arboretum) (USFWS 1995) and (Nellie Sugii Pers. Comm. 2001)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Fencing (USFWS 1995)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Feral and domestic animal control Invertebrate control Alien plant control Monitoring Surveying (USFWS 1995, 2001)

Nellie Sugii

01/01/2010

Propagation Genetic studies Seed banking Plant biological and physiological studies (USFWS 1995)