Isodendrion laurifolium

Isodendrion laurifolium is a rare species of flowering plant in the violet family known by the common names rockcliff isodendrion and aupaka. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from fewer than 1000 individuals on the islands of Kauai and Oahu.[1] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Isodendrion laurifolium

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Isodendrion
Species:
I. laurifolium
Binomial name
Isodendrion laurifolium

This is a shrub growing 1 to 2 meters tall. It produces purple flowers.[1]

This shrub only grows in moist and wet forest habitat.[1] As of 2003 there were five occurrences of the plant on Oahu for a total of 22 or 23 individuals in the Waianae and Koolau Mountains. In Kauai there were thirteen occurrences with 142 to 154 plants. Only one population of the plant has more than 50 individuals.[2]

The plants' habitat is threatened by feral ungulates including wild boars. Another threat is competition with non-native plant species.[1]

References
  1. Isodendrion laurifolium. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. USFWS. Isodendrion laurifolium Five-year Review. July 2009.


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