Plantago hawaiensis

Plantago hawaiensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name Hawaiian plantain. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Hawaii. It grows on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai. Like other Hawaiian Plantago, it is known as kuahiwi laukahi. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Plantago hawaiensis
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Plantago
Species:	P. hawaiensis
Binomial name
Plantago hawaiensis (A.Gray) Pilg.

This is a perennial herb with a woolly stem growing a few centimeters tall and bearing spikes of flowers. It grows in bogs and forested habitat on lava and volcanic ash substrates. There are about five occurrences of the plant remaining for an estimated total of just over 5000 individuals.^[1]