| Delissea rhytidosperma | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
|
Critically Imperiled (NatureServe) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Delissea |
| Species: | D. rhytidosperma |
| Binomial name | |
| Delissea rhytidosperma H.Mann |
|
Delissea rhytidosperma is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common name Kauai delissea. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the island of Kauai. It is extinct in the wild; some plants that formerly belonged to the species are now called Delissea kauaiensis, leaving no D. rhytidosperma left.[1] It is a federally listed endangered species.
This Hawaiian lobelioid is a shrub which grows up to 2.5 meters tall. The leaves have lance-shaped or nearly oval blades up to 19 centimeters long. The tubular flowers have greenish or purplish petals and distinctive hairs next to the anthers.[2] The plant's natural habitat is rocky cliffsides in moist forests dominated by Acacia koa. This habitat has been destroyed and degraded by the action of feral pigs, goats, and mule deer[1], and by exotic plant species.Germination and establishment are further limited by non-native rodents, snails, and grasses.[3]