Melanthera micrantha

Melanthera micrantha (formerly Lipochaeta micrantha), known by the common name Kauai nehe, is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family.[1]

Melanthera micrantha
Melanthera micrantha subsp micrantha
(cultivated)

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Asteroideae
Tribe:
Heliantheae
Genus:
Melanthera
Species:
M. micrantha
Binomial name
Melanthera micrantha
(Nutt.) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.
Synonyms

Lipochaeta micrantha - (Nutt.) A. Gray

Distribution

The plant is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai.[2]

It grows on slopes and in gulches in forested habitat. There are seven populations for a total of fewer than 1100 individuals.[2]

Description

Melanthera micrantha is sprawling perennial herb. It produces thin trailing stems with 'fernlike' foliage on compound pedate leaves.

It produces daisylike yellow flower heads on long stems. They are less than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter

Varieties
  • Melanthera micrantha subsp. exigua — (Nutt.) W.L. Wagner & H. Rob.[3][4]
  • Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha — (Nutt.) A. Gray.[5]

Conservation

It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States. The main threat to the species is the loss and degradation of its habitat caused by feral ungulates and non-native plants.[2]

Stem with compound pedate leaves.
Close up of flower.
Foliage texture.

See also
  • Endemic flora of Hawaii

References
  1. ITIS Report: Melanthera micrantha . accessed 1.14.2014.
  2. Lipochaeta micrantha. The Nature Conservancy.
  3. ITIS Report: Melanthera micrantha subsp. exigua
  4. Encyclopedia of Life|eol.org: Melanthera micrantha subsp. exigua
  5. ITIS Report: Melanthera micrantha ssp. micrantha
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