Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

4.9.13 Phyllostegia velutina
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Phyllostegia velutina is an endangered climbing vine. The thick leaves are slightly egg shaped with
serrate margins. The leaves measure 3.6-6.9 in long and 1-2 in wide. The leaves have dense, straight
hairs, while the square stems have downward pointing hairs. The white flowers are compactly
clustered in groups of 6-10 in the axils of the leaves. The dry fruit is divided into four nutlets. The
fruit is larger than the previous Phyllostegia described, with a length of 0.1-0.2 in.
Historically, P. velutina was reported on the southern slopes of Hualālai and various slopes of Mauna
Loa. In 2003, there were 5 populations consisting of 63-116 plants. These populations were located
at the Honua„ula Forest Reserve, near the Waiea tract in South Kona, in Pu„u Wa„awa„a, and near
and at the Kūlani Correctional Facility (USFWS 1998a). Current estimates published in the Federal
Register (2003b) list eight occurrences, with an unknown number of individuals in the Ka„ū Forest
Reserve and seven individuals within the Ka„ahakini watershed near the Kūlani summit and on
adjacent Kamehameha Schools land. Only a single P. velutina is known to occur in a gulch within
the HFU. One hundred and twelve P. velutina have been outplanted at the HFU from 1999-2007
(USFWS, unpubl.). P. velutina potentially occurs in the KFU (USFWS, unpubl.).
The preferred habitat for P. velutina is montane mesic and wet forests dominated by koa and „ōhi„a.
It occurs between 4,900-6,000 ft. The following species have been recorded with P. velutina: hāpu„u,
„ōhelo, „akala, lau-kahi, „ōlapa, māmaki, kōlea, and kāwa„u (USFWS 1998a).
Phyllostegis velutina is threatened by ungulates, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. Logging, road
clearing, prison expansion, and other human activities have also caused population declines. Growth
of nonnative plant species (Pennisetum setaceum, Rubus ellipticus, Paspalum urvillei, and
Pennisetum clandestinum) has impacted the species. In addition, fire and volcanic activity has
contributed to the decline (USFWS 1998a).
The 9,009 ac critical habitat area for P. velutina has the potential to support 10 populations, each
with 300 mature, reproducing individuals. These units include land in the Ka„ū Forest Reserve within
the Pahala watershed and land managed by the „Ōla„a–Kīlauea Partnership within the Ka„ahakini
watershed (Federal Register 2003b). No critical habitat has been designated at the HFU.
4.9.14 Po‘e (Portulaca sclerocarpa)
Portulaca sclerocarpa, or po„e, is a perennial herb that was listed as federally endangered in 1994.
The prostrate stems reach up to 8 in tall. The sessile leaves are gray to pale green and linear shaped.
There is a tuft of yellowish brown hairs in the axil. The flowers are arranged in cyme inflorescences
composed of 3-6 white or pink blossoms. The taproot is fleshy and tuberous, but becomes woody.
Approximately 0.16-0.18 in long, the fruit is a capsule (dry and dehiscent) containing dark reddish
brown seeds. This species closely resembles P. villosa but can be distinguished by its thicker fruit.
Po„e occurs on Hawai„i Island and at one location on the Island of Lāna„i. On Lāna„i, it occurs in
coastal habitat on Po„opo„o Islet. The population is located on private land and contains about
10 plants (Federal Register 2003a). On Hawai„i Island, po„e is found between 3,087-5,360 ft where it
grows in weathered Mauna Kea soils, cinder cones, or geologically young lavas. It is known to occur
4-68 Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats