Schiedea sarmentosa

Schiedea sarmentosa is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common name cliff schiedea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Molokai.[1] It is threatened by the degradation and destruction of its habitat. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Schiedea sarmentosa

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Schiedea
Species:
S. sarmentosa
Binomial name
Schiedea sarmentosa
O.Deg. & Sherff

This plant is a subshrub with many branches reaching 30 to 45 centimeters tall. It has very narrow, threadlike leaves up to 4.5 centimeters long oppositely arranged on the branches. The plant produces many inflorescences of flowers with green sepals and no petals.[2] It grows in dry and moist forest habitat, sometimes on cliff faces.[1] Other plants in the habitat include Schiedea lydgatei (Lydgate's schiedea), Styphelia tameiameiae (pukiawe), Chenopodium oahuensis (’aheahea), Alyxia oliviformis (maile), Pleomele sp. (hala pepe), and Chamaesyce sp. (’akoko).[2]

There are two populations of this plant for a total of not more than 1000 individuals.[2]

References
  1. Schiedea sarmentosa. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. USFWS. Determination of Endangered Status for Three Plant Species (Cyanea dunbarii, Lysimachia maxima, and Schiedea sarmentosa) from the Island of Molokai, Hawaii. Federal Register October 10, 1996.
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