Tetramolopium filiforme

Tetramolopium filiforme is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name ridgetop tetramolopium.[1] It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the Waianae Mountains on the island of Oahu. It is threatened by habitat degradation caused by feral goats and introduced species of plants. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.[2]

Tetramolopium filiforme
T. filiforme var. polyphyllum

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Asteroideae
Tribe:
Astereae
Genus:
Tetramolopium
Species:
T. filiforme
Binomial name
Tetramolopium filiforme
Sherff

This plant is a very small shrub growing only 15 centimeters in maximum height. It produces narrow leaves and inflorescences of up to 4 flower heads. It grows on mountain ridges and cliffs.[2] It sometimes grows in rock cracks on steep cliffs.[3]

There are six known populations of this plant, totalling 2857 mature individuals and 625 juveniles. There are two varieties of this species, var. filiforme and var. polyphyllum, which differ in the shape of the leaves.[3]

References
  1. "Tetramolopium filiforme". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. Tetramolopium filiforme. The Nature Conservancy.
  3. USFWS. Tetramolopium filiforme Five-year Review. January 2008.


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