Lysimachia daphnoides
Encyclopedia
Lysimachia daphnoides is a rare species of flowering plant in the Myrsinaceae
known by several common names, including Pacific loosestrife, lehua makanoe, kolekole lehua, and kolokolo kuahiwi. It is endemic to Hawaii
, where there are only three populations remaining on the island of Kauai
. It was federally listed as an endangered species
of the United States in 2010.
This is a small shrub
growing up to about half a meter in maximum height with a dense covering of leathery leaves. Dark red or purple flowers occur in the leaf axils. The plant is a member of the bog
gy wet mountain ecosystem
in Alakai Wilderness Preserve and Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve on Kauai. There are three known populations for a total number of plants between 200 and 300.
The flowers of this plant were traditionally used in leis
.
Myrsinaceae
Myrsinaceae, or the Myrsine family, is a rather large family from the order Ericales. It consists of 35 genera and about 1000 species....
known by several common names, including Pacific loosestrife, lehua makanoe, kolekole lehua, and kolokolo kuahiwi. It is endemic to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, where there are only three populations remaining on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. It was federally listed as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of the United States in 2010.
This is a small shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
growing up to about half a meter in maximum height with a dense covering of leathery leaves. Dark red or purple flowers occur in the leaf axils. The plant is a member of the bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
gy wet mountain ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
in Alakai Wilderness Preserve and Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve on Kauai. There are three known populations for a total number of plants between 200 and 300.
The flowers of this plant were traditionally used in leis
Lei (Hawaii)
Lei is a Hawaiian word for a garland or wreath. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. The most popular concept of a lei in Hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers draped around the neck presented upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of...
.