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Conservation Status
IUCN: not evaluated
USFWS: Endangered
Listed with PEP
Family: POACEAE Genus: Panicum Species: niihauense Species Author: H. St. John Vernacular: Lau'ehu
Panicum niihauense is a member of the grass family, it is a
perennial bunchgrass with unbranched culms 50 to 125 cm (20 to 49 in) long. The leaf blades are flat, 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14 in) long and 0.7 to 1.9 cm (0.3 to 0.7 in) wide. The panicles (loosely branched inflorescences) are 13 to 35 cm (5 to 14 in) long. The panicle branches lie close to the main stem of the inflorescence (not spreading outward), and the spikelets are borne densely along the inflorescence branches. The spikelets, which contain two flowers, are 2.6 to 3.2 mm (0.1 in.) long.
Cite: Hawaii's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (effective October 1, 2005)
Distribution: Ni (ex)/ K (Polihale)
Cite: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Currently only survives on Kaua‘i, but was also known historically
from Ni‘ihau.
LOCATION AND CONDITION OF KEY HABITAT: Dry coastal habitats. Calcareous
sand dunes and rocky knolls. The last known population is located on State owned land at Polihale State Park.
THREATS: Alien plants (Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis pallida); Off‐road vehicles.
Cite: Hawaii's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (effective October 1, 2005)
1999 Conservation Status: Endangered
United States Status: Endangered
Cite: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Flora of the Hawaiian Islands
We currently have 12 herbarium specimens for Panicum niihauense in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
