Cyrtandra heinrichii

Cyrtandra heinrichii, known as ha'iwale or lava cyrtandra, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Gesneriaceae. It is found on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.^[2][3]

Cyrtandra heinrichii
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Gesneriaceae
Genus:	Cyrtandra
Species:	C. heinrichii
Binomial name
Cyrtandra heinrichii H. St. John

Description

Cyrtandra heinrichii is a shrub that usually grows by waterfalls on walls of basalt. They are also found in shrubland and wet, tropical or sub-tropical forests dominated by Metrosideros. This species can usually be found with ferns at altitudes between 730m and 1,350m.^[1]

This species is closely related to Cyrtandra wawrae.^[4]

Conservation and threats

Cyrtandra heinrichii is listed as endangered by the IUCN.^[1] It occupies an area of 10km². There are estimated to be between 250 and 1,000 mature individuals left in the declining population, fragmented into 9 subpopulations.^[1] Part of the species range lies within a Natural Area Reserve.^[1]

Damage to the plant by slugs and rodents, habitat destruction from wild pigs, and invasive plants species all pose a serious threat to this taxon. These invasive species compete with lava cyrtandra for resources. Such plant species include, but are not exclusive to:^[1]

• Erigeron karvinskianus
• Hedychium gardnerianum
• Clidemia hirta
• Cyathea cooperi
• Andropogon virginicus
• Rubus rosifolius
• Blechnum appendiculatum
• Pterolepis glomerata
• Erechtites valerianifolius

In addition, the decline of native bird and insect species has led to a decrease in pollination.^[1]