Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Psilotum nudum
Family Psilotaceae
Other Names Common: whisk fern; Hawaiian: moa (transl. "chicken"), pipi (transl. "feelers of an insect") 
Status Indigenous
Distribution & Habitat In Hawaii it is found up to 4,000 ft elevations (Valier 1995: 21).
Locations in this Guide Mid-Elevation Woodland, Kipuka Puaulu, Mauna Loa Strip Road
General Appearance
The shoots are green and broomlike.  These can reach a length of two feet (Valier 1995: 21).

You can recognize this species by its upright growth habit. A similar species, P. complanatum, droops (Carlquist 1985: 114).

These are often epiphytic plants, but they may also be seen growing from lava crevices.

 Mid_Elevation Woodland

Mid-Elevation Woodland

 Mid-Elevation Woodland
Mid-Elevation Woodland (on 1974 flow) Olaa Forest

Mid-Elevation Woodland
Leaves
There are tiny, scalelike leaves (even though the name means "naked"). Mid-elevation Woodland (forest entrance)

Mid-Elevation Woodland
Sporangia
The spore cases have three parts (Carlquist 1985: 285).  They are yellow and are found in clusters of 2 or 3 capsules (VAlier 1995: 21). Mid-Elevation Woodland
Phenology
Natural History
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes
References
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Last Updated: 08/05/03

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