‘Oha wai
Clermontia peleana ssp. peleana
SPECIES STATUS:
Federally Listed as Endangered
Genetic Safety Net Species
IUCN Red List Ranking – Extinct in the Wild (EW)
Hawai‘i Natural Heritage Ranking – Critically Imperiled (G1T1)
Endemism ‐ Island of Hawai‘i
Critical Habitat ‐ Designated
SPECIES INFORMATION: Clermontia peleana of the bellflower family is an epiphytic
shrub or tree 5 to 20 ft (1.5 to 6 m) tall which grows on ‘ōhi‘a, koa, Cheirodendron
trigynum (‘olapa), and Sadleria spp. (ama‘u). The alternate, stalked, oblong or oval,
toothed leaves reach a length of 3 to 8 in (8 to 20 cm) and a width of 1.2 to 2 in (3 to 5 m).
Flowers are single or paired, each on a stalk 1.2 to 1.8 in (3 to 4.5 cm) long with a main
stalk 0.3 to 0.7 in (0.8 to 1.7 cm) long. Five small green calyx lobes top the hypanthium
(basal portion of the flower). The blackish‐purple (ssp. peleana) or greenish‐white (ssp.
singuliflora) petals, 2 to 2..8 in (5 to 7 cm) long and 0.3 to 0.5 in (0.8 to 1.3 cm) wide, are
fused into a one‐lipped, arching tube with five down‐curved lobes. Berries of ssp.
peleana are orange and 1 to 1.2 in (2.5 to 3 cm) in diameter; berries of ssp. singuliflora are
unknown. This species is distinguished from others of the genus by its epiphytic growth
habit; its small green calyx lobes; and its one lipped, blackish‐purple or greenish white
corolla.
DISTRIBUTION: Historically, Clermontia peleana ssp. peleana has been found only on
the island of Hawai‘i on the eastern slope of Mauna Loa and the northeastern and
southeastern slopes of Mauna Kea. Currently, this subspecies only occurs near
Waiakaumalo Stream, by the Wailuku River, near Saddle Road, and between the towns
of Glenwood and Volcano.
ABUNDANCE: The six known populations, which extend over a distance of about 12
by 5 miles are located on State and federally‐owned land and contain a total of
approximately eight known individuals.
LOCATION AND CONDITION OF KEY HABITAT: This subspecies typically grows
epiphytically in Montane Wet Forests dominated by koa, ‘ōhi‘a, and Cibotium spp., and
in Sadleria spp. (tree ferns) at elevations between 1,740 and 3,800 ft (530 and 1,160 m).
Associated species include ‘olapa, Melicope clusiifolia (kolokolo mokihana), and Scaevola
chamissoniana (naupaka kuahiwi).
THREATS:
Feral pigs;
Roof or black rat (Rattus rattus);
Flooding, and stochastic extinction;
Reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of existing individuals.
CONSERVATION ACTIONS: The goals of conservation actions are to not only protect
current populations, but to also establish further populations to reduce the risk of
extinction. The USFWS has developed a recovery plan that details specific tasks needed
to recover this species. In addition to common statewide and island conservation
actions, specific actions include:
Survey historic range for surviving populations;
Establish secure ex‐situ stocks with complete representation of remaining
individuals;
Augment wild population and establish new populations in safe harbors.
MONITORING:
Continue surveys of population and distribution in known and likely habitats;
Monitor plants for insect damage and plant diseases.
RESEARCH PRIORITIES:
Develop proper horticultural protocols and pest management;
Survey ex‐situ holdings and conduct molecular fingerprinting;
Conduct pollination biology and seed dispersal studies;
Map genetic diversity in the surviving populations to guide future reintroduction
and augmentation efforts.
References:
Center for Plant Conservation, 2005. National Collection of Endangered Plants.
www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_NCList_Quick.asp [August 2005].
Hawai‘i Natural Heritage Program. 2005. Hawaii Natural Heritage Program Search,
www.hinhp.org [August 2005].
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2004, IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species: Data Base Search,
www.redlist.org/search/search‐basic.html [August
2005].
US Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. Final Listing, Endangered ETWP; Determination of
Endangered or Threatened Status for 21 Plants From the Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii;
Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 43, (04‐MAR‐94 ), 59 FR 10305‐10325.
Federal Register I Vol. 59, No. 43 / Friday. March 4, 1994 / Rules and Regulations.
Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and D. H. Lorence. 2005. Flora of the Hawaiian Islands website.
ravenel.si.edu/botany/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/index.htm [August 2005].
Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R., and Sohmer, S.H., 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaiʹi‐‐
Revised Edition. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. 1853p.