Dubautia kalalauensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the island of Kauai. There is only a single known population composed of 26 plants.[1] It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.[2] Like other Dubautia this plant is known as na`ena`e.[3]

This member of the silversword alliance was part of Dubautia laxa until 2005, when it was separated and described as a new species.[4] The population grows in wet mountain forest habitat in the understory of ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees in Kalalau Valley on Kauai.[2]

This plant is a shrub or tree with oppositely arranged leaves and flower heads which contain green-tinged cream-colored flowers.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Dubautia kalalauensis.[permanent dead link] The Nature Conservancy.
  2. ^ a b USFWS. Determination of endangered status for 48 species on Kauai and designation of critical habitat; Final rule. Federal Register April 13, 2010. pg 18965.
  3. ^ USFWS. Species Reports: Listed Plants.
  4. ^ Baldwin, B. G. and G. D. Carr. (2005). Dubautia kalalauensis, a new species of the Hawaiian Silversword Alliance (Compositae, Madiinae) from northwestern Kaua'i, U.S.A. Novon 15:2 259-63.