Delissea undulata ssp. undulata

[Melanie]

Delissea undulata ssp. undulata
Delissea undulata subspecies undulata is an unusual palm-like tree that was observed in the late nineteenth century on western Hawaii in North and South Kona. It was last found in South Kona at Pu`u Lehua in 1971, but was later thought to be extinct. In 1992, a single adult individual was rediscovered at Pu`u Waawaa, Hawaii. This lone plant probably survived as a result of being pushed over the entrance of a collapsing lava tube, making it inaccessible to grazing cattle. This wild individual continues to be threatened by extinction due to its precarious growing situation.

Luckily, this plant was observed in flower in August 1992, which resulted in fruit production and fertile seed. Approximately 50 seedlings were outplanted within 3 exclosures at Pu`u Waawaa, Waihou
Forest Reserve and in July of 1995, these outplanted individuals were observed in flower.

[Melanie]

[Melanie]

Delissea undulata is one of the rarest plants on the Island of Hawaii. This unbranched,
palm-like Hawaiian lobelioid has no common name. It produces a cluster of leaves on slender
woody stems that sometimes reach up to 30 feet tall. Delissea undulata formerly existed on
Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes. Rock (1913) indicated that on Mauna Loa "The plants are
exceedingly numerous, but especially on the crater bottoms of the numerous volcanic cones,
where they form the main vegetation." On Hualalai, the plant was known to occur on Pu‘u
Wa‘awa‘a cone (3,000 feet elevation) and in Waihou Forest (3,000-3,500 ft. elevation). Rock
(1919) noted that these plants were numerous at Waihou, but did not attain the height of those
seen on Mauna Loa. Delissea was last sighted at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a in 1922, but persisted
elsewhere on Hualalai until 1971. It was thought to be extinct after that date (Wagner et al.,
1990).
In April 1992, Delissea undulata was re-discovered at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a by DOFAW
biologist, Jon Giffin. A single plant was located in the montane dry forest near Poohohoo cinder
cone at 3,520 feet elevation. It was associated with mamane, ‘ohi‘a, koa, sandalwood, naio, ‘aiea
and alani (Melicope hawaiensis). This rare lobelia was growing on the side of a collapsed lava
tube, but had been knocked over by wind or animals and was dangling from its roots. The stem
was immediately propped up with a stake and the entire plant fenced to prevent further injury.
This individual flowered in July and produced its first fruit in August 1992. However, the fruit
began dropping off the plant before reaching maturity. There was concern that no viable seeds
would be produced without some immediate intervention. As a result, immature fruits were
picked and sent to the tissue culture laboratory at Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu. Seeds were
removed and allowed to mature on sterile media and then germinated by Gregory Koob,
Research Assistant. Greg was successful in producing over 100 plants. Other seedlings were
eventually germinated at the State Tree Nursery in Kamuela, Hawaii. The first of these were
outplanted in May 1993 and flowered and produced fruit in June 1994 (at two years of age). In
1995, outplanted plants flowered from July through September. It is hoped that these young
plants will provide the necessary stock to save this rare lobelioid from extinction.

Source: www.hetf.us/pdf/PWW_biol_assessment.pdf (p. 15)