Small, spreading shrub to about 0.5 m tall, leaves opposite or rarely whorled. Diagnostic features of the species include conspicuously sericeous achenes, and smooth, uninerved to obscurely 3-nerved, glabrous, often lustrous or glossy leaves in opposite or rarely whorled phyllotaxy. Flowering apparently occurs from May to July.
This rare and endangered species of less than 200 known individuals is found only in the Wai'anae Mountains on the island of O'ahu in dry ridgetop habitats at elevations ranging from 580 - 915 m. The sites occupied by the species receive about 65-150 cm of annual precipitation.
Last Modification: March 20, 2000
Each "thumbnail" image below is linked to a larger photograph.
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Ridgetop shrub. (photo 1977, Ohikilolo Ridge, O'ahu) |
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Same as above. |
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Flowering branches, note glossy leaves and showy heads. (photo 1977, Ohikilolo Ridge, O'ahu) |
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Close view of flowering heads, note coalesced uniseriate receptacular chaff forming a false involucre. |