Lysimachia daphnoides

Lysimachia daphnoides
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Primulaceae
Genus:	Lysimachia
Species:	L. daphnoides
Binomial name
Lysimachia daphnoides (A.Gray) Hillebr.

Lysimachia daphnoides is a rare species of flowering plant in the Primulaceae known by several common names, including Pacific loosestrife, ^[1] lehua makanoe, kolekole lehua, and kolokolo kuahiwi. ^[2] It is endemic to Hawaii, where there are only three populations remaining on the island of Kauai. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010. ^[3]

This is a small shrub growing up to about half a meter in maximum height with a dense covering of leathery leaves. Dark red or purple flowers occur in the leaf axils. ^[1] The plant is a member of the boggy wet mountain ecosystem in Alakai Wilderness Preserve and Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve on Kauai. There are three known populations for a total number of plants between 200 and 300. ^[3]

The flowers of this plant were traditionally used in leis. ^{[2] [4]}

References

1. Lysimachia daphnoides. The Nature Conservancy.
2. Lysimachia daphnoides. Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database.
3. USFWS. Determination of Endangered Status for 48 Species on Kauai and Designation of Critical Habitat; Final Rule. Federal Register April 13, 2010.
4. Hawaiian Ethnobotany