Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Determinations of Prudency and Proposed Designations of Critical Habitat for Plant Species From the Island of Molokai, Hawaii

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AH08

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Determinations of Prudency and Proposed Designations of Critical Habitat for Plant Species From the Island of Molokai, Hawaii

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Revised proposed rule and notice of determinations of whether designation of critical habitat is prudent.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose critical habitat for 46 of the 51 listed plant species known historically from the island of Molokai that are listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Critical habitat is not proposed for 4 species as they no longer occur on the island of Molokai, and we are unable to identify any habitat essential to their conservation on the island of Molokai. Critical habitat is not proposed for one species of loulu palm,

Pritchardia munroi,

for which we determined, in a previous proposal, that critical habitat designation is not prudent because it would likely increase the threats from vandalism or collection of this species on Molokai.

We propose critical habitat designations for 46 species within 10 critical habitat units totaling approximately 17,614 hectares (ha) (43,532 acres (ac)) on the island of Molokai.

If this proposal is made final, section 7 of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that actions they carry out, fund, or authorize do not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat to the extent that the action appreciably diminishes the value of the critical habitat for the survival and recovery of the species. Section 4 of the Act requires us to consider economic and other relevant impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.

We solicit data and comments from the public on all aspects of this proposal, including data on the economic and other impacts of the designations. We may revise or further refine this rule, including critical habitat boundaries, prior to final designation based on habitat and plant surveys, public comment on the revised proposed critical habitat rule, and new scientific and commercial information.

DATES:

We will accept comments until June 4, 2002. Public hearing requests must be received by May 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposal by any one of several methods:

You may submit written comments and information to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, P.O. Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850-0001.

You may hand-deliver written comments to our Pacific Islands Office at the address given above.

You may view comments and materials received, as well as supporting documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Henson, Field Supervisor, Pacific Islands Office (see

ADDRESSES

section) (telephone 808/541-3441; facsimile 808/541-3470).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Plants (50 CFR 17.12), there are 51 plant species that, at the time of listing, were reported from the island of Molokai (Table 1). Sixteen of these species are endemic to the island of Molokai, while 35 species are reported from one or more other islands, as well as Molokai.

Table 1.—Summary of Island Distribution of 51 Species From Molokai

Species (Common Name)

Island Distribution

Kauai

Oahu

Molokai

Lanai

Maui

Hawaii

N.W. Isles,

Kahoolawe

Niihau

Adenophorus periens

(pendant kihi fern)

C

H

C

R

R

C

Alectryon macrococcus

(mahoe)

C

C

C

C

Bidens wiebkei

(ko oko olau)

C

Bonamia menziesii

(No common name)

C

C

H

C

C

C

Brighamia rockii

(pua ala)

C

H

H

Canavalia molokaiensis

(awikiwiki)

C

Centaurium sebaeoides

(awiwi)

C

C

C

C

C

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes

(oha wai)

C

Ctenitis squamigera

(pauoa)

H

C

C

C

C

H

Cyanea dunbarii

(haha)

C

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana

(haha)

C

C

C

C

Cyanea mannii

(haha)

C

Cyanea procera

(haha)

C

Cyperus trachysanthos

(pu uka a)

C

C

H

H

Ni (C)

Diellia erecta

(Asplenium-leaved Diellia)

C

C

C

H

C

C

Diplazium molokaiense

(No common name)

H

H

H

H

C

Eugenia koolauensis

(nioi)

C

H

Flueggea neowawraea

(mehamehame)

C

C

H

C

C

Hedyotis mannii

(pilo)

C

C

C

Hesperomannia arborescens

(No common name)

C

C

H

C

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

(kokio ke okeo)

C

Hibiscus brackenridgei

(mao hau hele)

H

C

H

C

C

C

Ka (R)

Ischaemum byrone

(Hilo ischaemum)

R

C

C

C

Isodendrion pyrifolium

(wahine noho kula)

H

H

H

H

H

C

Ni (H)

Labordia triflora

(kamakahala)

C

Lysimachia maxima

(No common name)

C

Mariscus fauriei

(No common name)

C

H

C

Marsilea villosa

(ihi ihi)

C

C

Ni (H)

Melicope mucronulata

(alani)

C

C

Melicope munroi

(alani)

H

C

Melicope reflexa

(alani)

C

Neraudia sericea

(No common name)

C

H

C

Ka (H)

Peucedanum sandwicense

(makou)

C

C

C

C

Phyllostegia mannii

(No common name)

C

H

Phyllostegia mollis

(No common name)

C

H

C

Plantago princeps

(laukahi kuahiwi)

C

C

C

C

H

Platanthera holochila

(No common name)

C

H

C

C

Pritchardia munroi

(loulu)

C

Pteris lidgatei

(No common name)

C

H

C

Schiedea lydgatei

(No common name)

C

Schiedea nuttallii

(No common name)

C

C

C

R

Schiedea sarmentosa

(No common name)

C

Sesbania tomentosa

(ohai)

C

C

C

H

C

C

Ni (H), Ka

(C), NW

Isles (C)

Silene alexandri

(No common name)

H

Silene lanceolata

(No common name)

H

C

C

H

C

Solanum incompletum

(popolo ku mai)

H

H

H

H

C

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

(No common name)

C

C

C

C

C

C

Stenogyne bifida

(No common name)

C

Tetramolopium rockii

(No common name)

C

Vigna o-wahuensis

(No common name)

H

C

C

C

C

Ni (H), Ka

(C)

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

(a e)

C

C

H

C

C

Key:

C (Current)—population last observed within the past 30 years.

H (Historical)—population not seen for more than 30 years.

R (Reported)—reported from undocumented observations.

In previously published proposals we determined that critical habitat was prudent for 47 (

Adenophorus periens, Alectryon macrococcus, Bidens wiebkei, Brighamia rockii, Canavalia molokaiensis, Centaurium sebaeoides, Clermontia oblongifolia ssp. brevipes, Ctenitis squamigera, Cyanea dunbarii, Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana, Cyanea mannii, Cyanea procera, Diellia erecta, Diplazium molokaiense, Flueggea neowawraea, Hedyotis mannii, Hesperomannia arborescens, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus, Hibiscus brackenridgei, Ischaemum byrone, Labordia triflora, Lysimachia maxima, Mariscus fauriei, Marsilea villosa, Melicope mucronulata, Melicope reflexa, Neraudia sericea, Peucedanum sandwicense, Phyllostegia mannii, Phyllostegia mollis, Plantago princeps, Platanthera holochila, Pteris lidgatei,

Schiedea

lydgatei, Schiedea nuttallii, Schiedea sarmentosa, Sesbania tomentosa, Silene alexandri, Silene lanceolata, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Stenogyne bifida, Tetramolopium rockii, Vigna o-wahuensis,

and

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense)

of the 51 species reported from Molokai. No change is made to the 47 prudency determinations in this revised proposal and they are hereby incorporated into this proposal (or reproposal) (65 FR 66808, 65 FR 79192, 65 FR 82086, 65 FR 83158, 67 FR 3940, 67 FR 9806). In addition, at the time we listed

Labordia triflora

and

Melicope munroi

we determined that the designation of critical habitat was prudent for these two taxa from Molokai (64 FR 48307).

In the December 29, 2000, proposal we determined that the designation of critical habitat was not prudent for

Pritchardia munroi

because it would likely increase the threats from vandalism or collection of this species on Molokai, and we did not propose critical habitat for this species. No change is made to that determination here.

In this proposal, we determine that designation of critical habitat is prudent for

Eugenia koolauensis,

a species for which a prudency determination has not been made previously.

In the December 29, 2000, proposal we proposed designation of critical habitat for 32 (

Adenophorus periens, Alectryon macrococcus, Bidens wiebkei, Brighamia rockii, Canavalia molokaiensis, Centaurium sebaeoides, Clermontia oblongifolia ssp. brevipes, Ctenitis squamigera, Cyanea dunbarii, Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana, Cyanea mannii, Cyanea procera, Diellia

erecta, Hesperomannia arborescens, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus, Ischaemum byrone, Labordia triflora, Mariscus fauriei, Marsilea villosa, Melicope mucronulata, Melicope reflexa, Neraudia sericea, Peucedanum sandwicense, Schiedea lydgatei, Schiedea sarmentosa, Sesbania tomentosa, Silene alexandri, Silene lanceolata, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Stenogyne bifida, Tetramolopium rockii, Vigna o-wahuensis, and Zanthoxylum hawaiiense)

of the 51 plants reported from Molokai. Critical habitat was not proposed for

Pritchardia munroi

for the reasons given above. Critical habitat was not proposed for 11 species (

Bonamia menziesii, Cyperus trachysanthos, Diplazium molokaiense, Eugenia koolauensis, Flueggea neowawraea, Hibiscus brackenridgei, Isodendrion pyrifolium, Melicope munroi, Phyllostegia mollis, Pteris lidgatei,

and

Solanum incompletum

) that no longer occur on Molokai and for which we were unable to identify any habitat that is essential to their conservation on the island. Critical habitat was not proposed for seven species (

Adenophorus periens, Hedyotis manni, Lysimachia maxima, Phyllostegia mannii, Plantago princeps, Platanthera holochila,

and

Schiedea nuttallii

) found only in areas that did not require special management or protection because the areas were already protected and managed to the benefit of the seven species.

In this proposal, we propose designation of critical habitat for 46 of the 51 species reported from Molokai:

Adenophorus periens, Alectryon macrococcus, Bidens wiebkei, Brighamia rockii, Canavalia molokaiensis, Centaurium sebaeoides, Clermontia oblongifolia ssp. brevipes, Ctenitis squamigera, Cyanea dunbarii, Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana, Cyanea mannii, Cyanea procera, Diellia erecta, Diplazium molokaiense, Eugenia koolauensis, Flueggea neowawraea, Hedyotis mannii, Hesperomannia arborescens, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus, Hibiscus brackenridgei, Ischaemum byrone, Isodendrion pyrifolium, Labordia triflora, Lysimachia maxima, Mariscus fauriei, Marsilea villosa, Melicope mucronulata, Melicope reflexa, Neraudia sericea, Peucedanum sandwicense, Phyllostegia mannii, Phyllostegia mollis, Plantago princeps, Platanthera holochila, Pteris lidgatei, Schiedea lydgatei, Schiedea nuttallii, Schiedea sarmentosa, Sesbania tomentosa, Silene alexandri, Silene lanceolata, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Stenogyne bifida, Tetramolopium rockii, Vigna o-wahuensis,

and

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense,

based on new information and information received during the comment periods on the December 29, 2000, proposal. Critical habitat is not proposed for 4 (

Bonamia menziesii, Cyperus trachysanthos, Melicope munroi,

and

Solanum incompletum

) of the 51 species on the island of Molokai because these plants no longer occur on the island of Molokai and we are unable to identify habitat essential to their conservation on this island. However, proposed critical habitat designations, or non-designations, for these species will be included in other future Hawaiian plants proposed critical habitat rules (Table 2).

We propose critical habitat designations for 46 species within 10 critical habitat units totaling approximately 17,614 ha (43,532 ac) on the island of Molokai. Areas proposed as critical habitat are occupied by at least one species and some areas include some unoccupied habitat for one or more species.

The Island of Molokai

The island of Molokai, the fifth largest in the Hawaiian Islands chain, is approximately 61 kilometers (km) (38 miles (mi)) long, up to 17 km (10 mi) wide, and encompasses an area of about 688 square (sq) km (266 sq mi) (57 FR 46325). Three shield volcanoes make up most of the land mass of Molokai: West Molokai Mountain, East Molokai Mountain, and a volcano that formed Kalaupapa Peninsula (57 FR 46325).

Table 2.—List of Proposed Rules in Which Critical Habitat Designations Will Be Made for Four Species for Which We Are Unable To Determine Habitat Which Is Essential for Their Conservation on the Island of Molokai

Species

Proposed rule in which prudency will be determined

Proposed rules in which critical habitat designations have been or will be proposed

Bonamia menziesii

Kauai and Niihau (65 FR 66808)

Kauai and Niihau (65 FR 66808), (67 FR 3940); Maui and Kahoolawe (65 FR 79192), (see also

Federal Register

of April 3, 2002); Lanai (65 FR 82086), (67 FR 9806);

Hawaii

(to be published in the

Federal Register

in May 2002);

Oahu

(to be published in the

Federal Register

in May 2002).

Cyperus trachysanthos

Kauai and Niihau (65 FR 66808)

Kauai and Niihau (65 FR 66808), (67 FR 3940); Lanai (65 FR 82086), (67 FR 9806);

Oahu

(to be published in the

Federal Register

in May 2002).

Melicope munroi

10 Mau Nui Plants (64 FR 48307)

Lanai (65 FR 82086), (67 FR 9806).

Solanum incompletum

Kauai and Niihau (67 FR 3940)

Kauai and Niihau (67 FR 3940);

Hawaii

(to be published in the

Federal Register

in May 2002).

The taller and larger East Molokai Mountain rises 1,813 meters (m) (4,970 feet (ft)) above sea level and comprises roughly 50 percent of the island's area (57 FR 46325). Topographically, the windward (north) side of East Molokai differs from the leeward (south) side. Precipitous cliffs line the windward coast and deep valleys dissect the coastal area. The annual rainfall on the windward side is 200 to over 375 centimeters (cm) (75 to over 150 inches (in)), distributed throughout the year. The soils are poorly drained and high in organic matter. The gulches and valleys are usually very steep, but sometimes gently sloping (57 FR 46325). Much of the native vegetation on the windward East Molokai is intact because of its relative inaccessibility to humans and animals, although destructive ungulates have begun to enter the area in recent years (57 FR 46325).

Discussion of Plant Taxa

Species Endemic to Molokai

Bidens wiebkei

(kookoolau)

Bidens wiebkei,

a member of the aster family (Asteraceae), is a short-lived perennial herb which is somewhat woody at the base and grows from 0.5 to 1 m (1.6 to 3.3 ft) tall with opposite,

pinnately compound leaves. This plant is distinguished from other

Bidens

species that grow on Molokai by its erect habit and the curved or twisted, winged achenes (57 FR 46325; Ganders and Nagata 1999).

This species was observed in flower during May. No additional life history information is currently available (Hawaii Natural Heritage Program (HINHP) database 2000; United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service 1996a).

Historically,

Bidens wiebkei

was known from Pelekunu and the easternmost section of Molokai at Halawa. It is found currently in Halawaiki Gulch, Lamaloa Gulch, and below Puu Kolekole on private lands. There are a total of three populations containing more than 200 individuals (Geographic Decision Systems International (GDSI) 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

The currently known populations of

Bidens wiebkei

are scattered along slopes in

Metrosideros polymorpha

(ohia) dominated mesic shrublands or dry or mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha-Styphelia tameiameiae

(pukiawe) lowland shrubland between 8 and 1,205 m (26 and 3,952 ft) in elevation. Other associated plant species include

Antidesma platyphyllum

(hame),

Dodonaea viscosa

(aalii),

Psydrax odorata

(alahee),

Lysimachia

sp. (kolokolo kuahiwi),

Nestegis sandwicensis

(olopua),

Phyllanthus distichus

(pamakani-mahu),

Pisonia

sp. (papala kepau), or

Scaevola gaudichaudii

(naupaka kuahiwi) (Gagne and Cuddihy 1999; HINHP Database 2000; Ganders and Nagata 1999).

The major threats to

Bidens wiebkei

on Molokai, include habitat degradation and possible predation by axis deer (

Axis axis

) and feral goats (

Capra hircus

); competition with non-native plants, such as

Melinus minutiflora

(molasses grass) and

Schinus terebinthifolius

(Christmas berry); fire; and damage by humans of those plants found along trails (HINHP Database 2000; 57 FR 46325).

Canavalia molokaiensis

(awikiwiki)

Canavalia molokaiensis,

a member of the legume family (Fabaceae), is a short-lived perennial climbing herb with twining branches with leaves made up of three lance-shaped or sometimes oval leaflets. The only species of this genus found on Molokai, this plant can be distinguished from others in the genus by its more narrow leaflets and its larger, rose-purple flowers (57 FR 46325; Wagner and Herbst 1999).

This species has been observed in flower during May and December. Fruits and flowers were observed in March. No additional life history information is currently available (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000).

Historically,

Canavalia molokaiensis

was known from East Molokai at Kalaupapa, Pelekunu, and farther south in Kahuaawi Gulch, and the region of Manawai. It now has a more restricted range, from Kalaupapa to Waialeia, Kaunakakai, Pelekunu, and Kamakou. There are a total of five populations containing more than 50 plants on State lands, including lands managed by the National Park Service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and privately owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

Canavalia molokaiensis

typically grows in exposed sites, both dry and mesic, on steep slopes in

Metrosideros polymorpha

-

Dodonaea viscosa

lowland shrubland and mesic shrublands between 271 and 1,140 m (889 and 3,739 ft) in elevation. Associated plant species include

Artemisia

sp. (hinahina),

Chamaesyce

sp. (akoko),

Coprosma

sp. (pilo),

Styphelia tameiameiae

, or

Wikstroemia

sp. (akia) (HINHP Database 2000).

The threats to this species on Molokai include habitat degradation by feral ungulates, such as feral goats and pigs (

Sus scrofa

), possible predation by feral goats, and competition with non-native plants, such as

Melinis minutiflora

(Service 1996a).

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes (oha wai)

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes

, a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), is a short-lived perennial shrub or tree that reaches a height of 2 to 7 m (6.6 to 23 ft). This species is distinguished from others in the genus by the structure of its calyx and corolla as well as by the lengths of the flower, the floral lobes, and the green hypanthium (an enlargement of the floral receptacle bearing on its rim the reproductive organs and often enlarging and surrounding the fruits). This subspecies differs from others of the species by the shape and length of its leaves, leaf stalks, and flower stalks (Lammers 1988, 1999).

No life history information for this species is currently available (Service 1996a).

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes

is known from three populations of five individuals on the privately owned land of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii's (TNCH) Kamakou Preserve. The historical range of this subspecies is not known (HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a; Joel Lau, Hawaii Natural Heritage Program (HINHP),

in litt.

2000).

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes

occurs in shallow soil on gulch slopes in the wet

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated forests between 776 and 1,508 m (2,545 and 4,946 ft) in elevation. Associated plant species include

Cheirodendron trigynum

(olapa),

Cibotium

spp. (hapuu),

Broussaisia argutus

(kanawao),

Hedyotis terminalis

(manono), or

Melicope

sp. (alani) (HINHP Database 2000; Joel Lau, HINHP,

in litt

. 2000).

The threats to this species on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs; possible predation on the fruit or plant parts by rats (

Rattus rattus

), as evidence on related species suggests; and random naturally occurring events that may cause the extinction of the entire taxon due to its single population and very low number of individuals (Service 1996a; 57 FR 46325).

Cyanea dunbarii

(haha)

Cyanea dunbarii

, a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), is a short-lived perennial, branched shrub 1.5 to 2 m (4.9 to 6.6 ft) tall with oval to broadly elliptic leaves that have irregularly lobed or cleft margins. This species is distinguished from others in this endemic Hawaiian genus by the lack of prickles on the stems and the irregularly lobed and cleft leaf margins (Lammers 1999).

Cyanea dunbarii

was observed in flower, with immature fruit, in September. No additional life history information is currently available (HINHP Database 2000; Service 1998a).

Cyanea dunbarii

was collected in 1918 at Waihanau and Waialae Valleys, and was not observed again until 1992, when Joel Lau of the Hawaii Natural Heritage Program found it in Mokomoko Gulch on State-owned land within Molokai Forest Reserve. Currently, it is known from a single population of approximately 30 mature plants at an elevation of 671 m (2,200 ft) (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; 61 FR 53130; Ken Wood, National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG),

in litt.

2000).

Cyanea dunbarii

occurs on a streambank in a mesic to wet

Dicranopteris linearis

(uluhe)-

Metrosideros polymorpha

lowland forest on moderate to steep slopes between 191 and 1,248 m (626 and 4093 ft) in elevation. Associated species include

Diplazium sandwichianum

(hoio),

Charpentiera obovata

(papala),

Perrottetia sandwicensis

(olomea),

Pipturus albidus

(mamaki),

Clermontia kakeana

(ohawai),

Cheirodendron trigynum

, and

Freycinetia arborea

(ieie) (Service 1998a; HINHP Database 2000).

The major threats to this single population of

Cyanea dunbarii

on

Molokai are competition with the non-native plants

Buddleia asiatica

(butterfly bush),

Erigeron karvinskianus

(daisy fleabane),

Rubus rosifolius

(thimbleberry),

Commelina diffusa

(honohono),

Hedychium gardnerianum

(ginger), or

Kalanchoe pinnata

(air plant); and catastrophic extinction by naturally occurring events such as landslides or flooding, and/or reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of individuals in the only known population. In addition, predation by rats is a potential threat since rats are known to be in the area and are known to eat stems and fruits of other species of

Cyanea

; habitat degradation and predation by axis deer and pigs are other potential threats to this species, because both of these species are known to occur in areas adjacent to the only known population (Service 1998a; Cuddihy and Stone 1990).

Cyanea mannii

(haha)

Cyanea mannii

, a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), is a branched short-lived perennial shrub 1.5 to 3 m (5 to 10 ft) tall with narrowly elliptic or lance-shaped leaves. This species is distinguished from the seven other species of the genus on Molokai by a combination of the following characters: a branched, woody habit; leaves with small, hardened, marginal teeth; and a purplish corolla (Lammers 1999; 57 FR 46325).

Cyanea mannii

has been observed in flower during July. No additional life history information is currently available (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000).

Historically,

Cyanea mannii

was known only from Kalae on East Molokai. In 1984, a single plant was discovered by Joan Aidem on privately owned land west of Puu Kolekole on East Molokai. Since then, four additional populations have been discovered in the east and west forks of Kawela Gulch on the privately owned land of TNCH's Kamakou Preserve on East Molokai and within the State's Molokai Forest Reserve. These five populations contain approximately 200 individuals on State and privately owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Ken Wood, National Tropical Botanic Garden (NTBG),

in litt.

2000; Lammers 1999; Service 1996a).

This species typically grows on the sides of deep gulches in

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated montane mesic forests between 191 and 1,248 m (626 and 4,093 ft) in elevation. Associated plant species include

Wiskstroemia

sp.,

Dicranopteris linearis

, or

Vaccinium

sp. (ohelo) (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000; Lammers 1999).

Threats to

Cyanea mannii

on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs; predation by rats, which may feed on the fruit or other parts of the plant, as suggested by evidence from related species; catastrophic extinction through naturally occurring events due to its few populations and small number of individuals (Service 1996a).

Cyanea procera

(haha)

Cyanea procera

, a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), is a palm-like short-lived perennial tree 3 to 9 m (10 to 30 ft) tall with stalkless, lance-shaped leaves 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) long and 10 to 17 cm (3.9 to 6.7 in) wide with tiny hardened teeth along the margins. This species can be distinguished from other species of the genus by its growth habit, its sessile leaves, and the single-lipped appearance of the corolla (Lammers 1999; 57 FR 46325).

No life history information is currently available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically,

Cyanea procera

was known only from an unspecified site in the Kamalo region of East Molokai. Currently, this species is found on the privately owned lands of Kamakou Preserve and the State's Puu Alii Natural Area Reserve (NAR) in a total of two populations containing at least 10 individuals (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

Cyanea procera

is found on the walls of steep gulches in wet

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated lowland mixed forests between 277 and 1,248 m (909 and 4,093 ft) in elevation. Associated plant species include various species of

Asplenium

sp. (NCN),

Brousaissia arguta

,

Coprosma ochracea

(pilo),

Cyanea

spp. (haha),

Cyrtandra macrocalyx

(haiwale),

Dicranopteris linearis

,

Pipturus albidus

,

Pisonia

spp.,

Scaevola procera

(naupaka kuahiwi), or

Touchardia latifolia

(olona) (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000).

Threats to

Cyanea procera

on Molokai are predation by rats (as suggested by evidence on related species) and feral goats; habitat degradation by feral goats and pigs; habitat destruction through erosion; and catastrophic extinction from naturally occurring events due to the vulnerability of a few populations with a small number of individuals (57 FR 46325).

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

(kokio keokeo)

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

, a member of the hibiscus family (Malvaceae), is a long-lived perennial tree up to 3m (10 ft) tall with alternate, oval, toothed leaves measuring 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.8 in) long and 4 to 6.5 cm (1.6 to 2.6 in) wide. This subspecies is distinguished from other native Hawaiian members of the genus by its white petals and white staminal column (Bates 1999; 57 FR 46325).

This taxon was observed in flower during July. Currently, no additional life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000).

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

once ranged from Waihanau Valley east to Papalaua Valley on East Molokai. Currently this taxon is found west of Papalaua Valley on privately owned land and in the State's Olokui NAR above Waiehu. There are a total of two populations containing between 20 and 30 individuals (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

individuals are scattered along steep sea cliffs in mesic forests between 8 and 1,014 m (26 and 3,326 ft) in elevation. Associated native plant species include

Athyrium

spp. (akolea),

Psydrax odorata

,

Cyanea grimesiana

(haha),

Antidesma platyphyllum

,

Boehmeria grandis

(akolea),

Diospyros sandwicensis

(lama),

Pipturus

spp. (mamaki),

Urera glabra

(opuhe), or

Metrosideros polymorpha

(HINHP Database 2000; Bates 1999).

The major threats to

Hibiscus arnottianus

spp.

immaculatus

on Molokai are habitat destruction by feral goats and catastrophic extinction by naturally occurring events due to the vulnerability of the two remaining populations and few individuals (Service 1996a).

Labordia triflora

(kamakahala)

Labordia triflora

, a short-lived perennial member of the logan family (Loganiaceae), is similar to

Labordia tinifolia

var.

lanaiensis

, except in the following characteristics: the stems of

L. triflora

are climbing; the leaf stalks are only 1 to 3 millimeters (mm) (0.04 to 0.1 in.) long; inflorescence stalks are 40 to 50 mm (1.6 to 2 in.) long; and, each flower stalk is 10 to 25 mm (0.4 to 1 in.) long (Motley 1995).

The flowers of this species are functionally unisexual. No additional life history information is available at this time (Motley 1995; HINHP Database 2000).

Until 1990,

Labordia triflora

was known only from the type collection at Mapulehu on the island of Molokai and was believed to be extinct. In 1990, Joel Lau rediscovered the species in Kua Gulch on Molokai. Currently, only 10

individuals are known from one population on privately owned land (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Motley 1995).

This species occurs on gulch slopes in mixed mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha

forest, between 191 and 1,143 m (626 and 3,749 ft) in elevation. Associated species include

Pouteria sandwicensis

(alaa),

Sadleria cyatheoides

(amau),

Nephrolepis exaltata

(sword fern),

Coprosma

sp.,

Myrsine lessertiana

(kolea lau nui), or

Tetraplasandra hawaiensis

(ohe ohe) (Motley 1995; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

The threats to

Labordia triflora

include habitat degradation and destruction by feral pigs and goats; predation by rats that eat seeds; competition with the non-native plant species

Schinus terebinthifolius;

and catastrophic extinction through environmental events and reduced reproductive vigor due to the species' few populations and small number of individuals (64 FR 48307; Motley 1995)).

Lysimachia maxima

(no common name (NCN))

Lysimachia maxima,

a member of the primrose family (Primulaceae), is a sprawling short-lived perennial shrub with reddish brown bark. This species is differentiated from others in this genus by the leaves borne in groups of three, the broadest portion of the leaf above the middle, and rusty hairs that disappear with maturity (Wagner

et al.

1999).

Flowers, buds, and immature fruit of

Lysimachia maxima

have been observed in late May through July. No other life history information is available for this species (61 FR 53130; Service 1998a).

Lysimachia maxima

is only known from two populations containing between 45 and 50 individuals on the rim of Pelekunu Valley near Ohialele, on the privately owned land of TNCH's Pelekunu Preserve (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

This species occurs in

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dicranopteris linearis

montane wet forest between 446 and 1,324 m (1,463 and 4,343 ft) in elevation. Associated species include

Psychotria

sp. (kopiko),

Vaccinium

sp.,

Hedyotis

sp. (NCN),

Dubautia

sp. (naenae), or

Ilex anomala

(kawau) (HINHP Database 2000).

The major threats to

Lysimachia maxima

are catastrophic extinction from random environmental events (

e.g.,

landslides); reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of individuals in the only known population; and habitat degradation and/or predation by feral pigs and goats that are known from adjacent areas (Service 1998a).

Melicope reflexa

(alani)

Melicope reflexa,

a long-lived perennial of the citrus family (Rutaceae), is a sprawling shrub 1 to 3 m (3.3 to 10 ft) tall with short, yellowish-brown, short-lived hairs on new growth. Opposite leaves with leaf stalks usually over 1 cm (0.4 in) long, larger leaves and fruit, and partially fused sections of capsule separate it from other species of the genus (Stone

et al.

1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically,

Melicope reflexa

occurred from a ridge between Hanalilolilo and Pepeopae in Kamakou Preserve to as far east as Halawa on East Molokai. The three remaining populations of fewer than a total of 1,000 individuals are on State and private lands in Honomuni, the Wailau-Mapulehu summit area, and Kukuinui Ridge in Wailau Valley (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

Melicope reflexa

typically grows in wet

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated forest with native trees, such as

Cheirodendron

sp. (olapa), at elevations between 319 and 1,508 m (1,046 and 4,946 ft). Associated native plant species include

Cibotium

spp.,

Dicranopteris linearis, Syzygium sandwicensis

(ohia ha),

Antidesma platyphyllum, Alyxia oliviformis

(maile),

Cheirodendron trigynum,

or

Freycinetia arborea

(J. Lau,

in litt.

2001; Stone

et al.

1999).

Major threats to

Melicope reflexa

include habitat degradation and predation by ungulates (axis deer and feral pigs); competition with the non-native plant

Clidemia hirta

(Koster's curse); and catastrophic extinction from environmental events due to this species' few populations and small number of individuals (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Pritchardia munroi

(loulu)

Pritchardia munroi,

a member of the palm family (Arecaceae), is a long-lived perennial tree about 4 to 5 m (13 to 16 ft) tall. The leaves and petioles have scattered, mostly deciduous scales and hairs, somewhat larger on the lower leaf ribs. The leaves are deeply divided into segments with long, drooping tips. Numerous bisexual or functionally male flowers are arranged in clusters on hairy, branching stalks which originate at the leaf bases. The mature fruit is shiny, black, and nearly spherical. This species is distinguished from others of the genus by its relatively smooth leaves; the grayish-brown hair on the inflorescence stalks, which are shorter than the petioles; and the small size of the fruits (Read and Hodel 1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically and currently,

Pritchardia munroi

is found in leeward East Molokai, above Kamalo, near Kapuaokoolau Gulch (HINHP Database 2000, Read and Hodel 1999). The only known wild individual is found on privately owned land (HINHP Database 2000).

The only known wild individual grows near the base of a small ravine in mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dodonaea viscosa-Styphelia tameiameiae

shrubland at elevations between 189 and 1,205 m (619 and 3,952 ft). Associated plant species include

Sida fallax

(ilima),

Wikstroemia

sp.,

Diospyros sandwicensis, Pleomele auwahiensis

(halapepe),

Bidens menziesii

(kookoolau),

Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium

(enaena),

Dubautia linearis

(naenae), or

Coprosma

sp. (Read and Hodel 1999; J. Lau

in litt.

2001).

Threats to the only known wild individual of

Pritchardia munroi

include habitat degradation by ungulates (axis deer, goats, or pigs) around its fenced exclosure, which prevents the establishment of seedlings; predation of seeds by rats; and catastrophic extinction by random environmental events (e.g., fire) due to its extreme rarity (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Schiedea lydgatei

(NCN)

Schiedea lydgatei,

a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a low, hairless short-lived perennial with branched stems 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in) long which are woody at the base. The opposite, three-veined leaves are elliptic. Bisexual flowers are arranged in loosely spreading clusters. The capsules open when mature to reveal dark reddish-brown seeds. The opposite, thin, three-veined leaves with petioles and the smooth, open flower clusters with relatively larger, green sepals separate this species from other members of this endemic Hawaiian genus (Wagner

et al.

1999).

This species was observed with flowers and fruit in June. Currently, no additional life history information is available (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000).

Historically,

Schiedea lydgatei

was found in Kalae, Poholua, Makolelau, and Ohia Gulch on East Molokai. This species is now known from four populations in a more restricted area in

Makakupaia, Kawela, and Makolelau. The four populations total fewer than 1,000 individuals on State and privately owned lands (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

This species is found along ridges in dry to mesic grassland, shrubland, and forest with scattered native trees. It ranges in elevations between 458 and 1,047 m (1,502 and 3,434 ft). Associated plant species include

Dodonaea viscosa, Metrosideros polymorpha, Styphelia tameiameiae,

or

Dicranopteris linearis

(Gagne and Cuddihy 1999; HINHP Database 2000; Wagner

et al.

1999).

The major threats to

Schiedea lydgatei

are habitat degradation by feral ungulates; competition with the non-native plant species

Melinus minutiflora;

and catastrophic extinction due to random environmental events, primarily fire, because in this species' dry, windswept habitat a single fire could potentially destroy a large part of the populations (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Schiedea sarmentosa

(NCN)

Schiedea sarmentosa,

a short-lived perennial herb of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a many-branched shrub. The opposite leaves are slender, threadlike, and covered with dense, glandular hairs. There may be as many as 40 to 60 inflorescences on one plant, often with 50 to 100 flowers in each inflorescence. The flowers are female on some plants and bisexual on others. The green sepals are egg-shaped and somewhat hairy. The staminodes (false stamens) are half as long as the sepals and two-branched at the tip. The fruits are oval capsules. This species differs from others in this endemic Hawaiian genus by its densely bushy habit, leaf width, hairiness, and staminode length (Wagner

et al.

1999).

The population in Makolelau Gulch has a frequency of 31 percent females. Based on analyses of pollen-ovule ratios, pollen size, inflorescence structure, and comparison to other

Schiedea

species tested in a wind tunnel,

Schiedea sarmentosa

could be wind-pollinated. No other life history information for this species is available (Service 1998a).

Schiedea sarmentosa

has been found in Kawela Gulch, Makolelau, and Onini Gulch. Currently, only two populations are known to be extant. One population on privately owned land at TNCH's Kamakou Preserve numbers approximately 30 individuals. The other population occurs on privately owned land in Makolelau, and consists of four subpopulations totaling approximately 300 to 400 individuals. Estimates of the total number of individuals have ranged up to 1,000. An accurate count is somewhat difficult because this species is interspersed with

Schiedea lydgatei

(Service 1998a; HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

Schiedea sarmentosa

is typically found on slopes in

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dodonaea viscosa

lowland dry or mesic shrubland or dry to mesic forest dominated by

Metrosideros polymorpha

and/or

Diospyros sandwicensis

between 316 and 1,072 m (1,036 and 3,516 ft) elevation. Associated species include

Styphelia tameiameiae, Chenopodium oahuensis

(aheahea),

Alyxia oliviformis, Pleomele auwahiensis, Bidens menziesii, Carex meyenii

(NCN),

Lipochaeta rockii

(nehe),

Nestegis sandwicensis, Nothocestrum latifolium

(aiea),

Sida fallax, Sophora chrysophylla

(mamane), or

Chamaesyce

sp. (HINHP Database 2000; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

Major threats to

Schiedea sarmentosa

include habitat degradation by feral goats and pigs, competition by the non-native plants

Melinis minutiflora

and

Ricinus communis

(castor bean), and fire. The species is also threatened by a risk of extinction from naturally occurring events due to the low number of populations (61 FR 53130; Service 1998a).

Silene alexandri

(NCN)

Silene alexandri,

a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is an erect, short-lived perennial herb, 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall, and woody at the base. The narrow, elliptic leaves are hairless except for a fringe along the margins. Flowers are arranged in open clusters on stalks. The hairless stems, flowering stalks, and sepals and the larger flowers with white petals separate this species from other members of the genus (Wagner

et al.

1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species.

Historically,

Silene alexandri

was known from Makolelau and Kamalo on East Molokai. Recently, the one population comprised of fewer than 10 individuals was reported to be extirpated in the wild. However, individuals remain in cultivation (Perlman, pers. comm. 2001; GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

The only known population was found on moderate to steep slopes or cliffs in dry forest at an elevation between 316 and 1,073 m (1,036 and 3,519 ft). Associated plant species include

Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, Bidens menziesii, Schiedea

spp.,

Carex wahuensis

(NCN), or

Diospyros sandwicensis

(J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

Threats to

Silene alexandri

include habitat degradation by feral goats, possible predation by goats and cattle (

Bos taurus

), and catastrophic extinction through random environmental events, of which the most serious is fire, due to the vulnerability of this single population (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Stenogyne bifida

(NCN)

Stenogyne bifida

, a nonaromatic member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is a climbing short-lived perennial herb, with smooth or slightly hairy, four-angled stems. The opposite, membranous, toothed leaves are oval or elliptical in shape, and are hairless except for the midribs. Flowers are usually arranged in groups of two to six in each of several whorls at the ends of the stems. The petals are fused into a nearly straight, yellow tube which flares into pale-brown lobes comprising an upper and a lower lip. The fruits are fleshy, black nutlets. The long, narrow calyx teeth and the deep lobe in the upper lip of the yellow corolla separate this species from others of the genus (Weller and Sakai 1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically,

Stenogyne bifida

was known from scattered populations from Waianui in central Molokai to Pukoo Ridge on East Molokai. This species is now known from only five East Molokai populations totaling fewer than 10 individuals on Manawai-Kahananui Ridge on private lands; on Kolo Ridge, at Kamoku flats; and on the eastern fork of Kawela Gulch on the privately owned land of TNCH's Pelekunu Preserve (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

Stenogyne bifida

typically grows on gulch slopes in

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated montane mesic to wet forest with native species such as

Cibotium

sp.,

Hedyotis

sp.,

Cyanea

sp.,

Dicranopteris linearis, Dodonaea viscosa, Hedyotis hillebrandii

(manono),

Pipturus albidus, Psychotria

sp.,

Styphelia tameiameiae, Vaccinium

sp.,

Wikstroemia

sp.,

Cheirodendron trigynum, Broussaisia arguta

, or

Pouteria sandwicensis

at elevations between 336 and 1,300 m (1,102 and 4,264 ft) (HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

The most pervasive threat to this species is habitat degradation by ungulates (axis deer, goats, and pigs) (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Tetramolopium rockii

(NCN)

Tetramolopium rockii

, a member of the aster family (Asteraceae), is a glandular, hairy, prostrate short-lived

perennial shrub which forms complexly branching mats. The species has been divided into two varieties in the most recent treatment of this genus in Hawaii. Leaves of variety

calcisabulorum

have slightly inrolled edges, and are whitish due to the long silky hairs on their surfaces. Variety

rockii

has smaller, less hairy, flat, yellowish-green leaves. The leaves of both varieties are spatula-shaped with glands and smooth margins. Flower heads, arranged singly at the ends of flowering stalks, are composed of approximately 60 to 100 white ray florets and surround 30 to 55 functionally male, yellow, funnel-shaped disk florets. Fruits are achenes topped with white bristles. This species differs from others of the genus by its growth habit, its hairy and glandular surfaces, its spatulate leaf shape, and its yellow disk florets (Lowrey 1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Of the two recognized varieties of

Tetramolopium rockii

, variety

rockii

was first discovered at Moomomi about 80 years ago and is still extant in that area.

Tetramolopium rockii

var.

rockii

is found in three areas, from Kalawao to Kahinaakalani, Keieho Point to Kaplalauoa, and from Moomomi to Kahinaakalani. Variety

calcisabulorum

is only reported from Keieho Point to Kaplalauoa, intergrading with variety

rockii

where their ranges overlap. The total number of individuals of both varieties in the three populations is estimated to be 174,000; they are located on State lands, including State-owned land managed by the National Park Service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and privately owned lands (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

Tetramolopium rockii

is restricted to hardened calcareous sand dunes or ash-covered basalt in the coastal spray zone or coastal dry shrubland and grassland between sea level and 199 m (0 and 653 ft) elevation. Native plant species associated with this species include

Psydrax odorata, Diospyros sandwicensis, Metrosideros polymorpha, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia

(ulei),

Scaevola

sp. (naupaka),

Fimbristylis cymosa

(mauu akiaki),

Heliotropium anomalum

(ahinahina),

Lipochaeta integrifolia

(nehe),

Sida fallax

, or

Sporobolus virginicus

(akiaki) (Service 1996a; HINHP Database 2000; Lowrey 1999).

The major threats to

Tetramolopium rockii

are habitat degradation by ungulate (axis deer and cattle) activity and human recreation, competition with the non-native plant

Prosopis pallida

(kiawe), and catastrophic extinction due to fire (57 FR 46325).

Multi-Island Species

Adenophorus periens

(pendant kihi fern)

Adenophorus periens

, a short-lived perennial member of the grammitis family (Grammitidaceae), is a small, pendant, epiphytic (not rooted on the ground) fern. This species differs from other species in this endemic Hawaiian genus by having hairs along the pinna (leaflets) margins, by the pinnae being at right angles to the midrib axis, by the placement of the sori (a group or cluster of spore cases) on the pinnae, and the degree of dissection of each pinna (Service 1999a; Linney 1989).

Little is known about the life history of

Adenophorus periens

, which seems to grow only in dense closed-canopy forest with high humidity. Its breeding system is unknown, but outbreeding is very likely to be the predominant mode of reproduction. Spores (minute, reproductive dispersal unit of ferns and fern allies) are dispersed by wind, possibly by water, and perhaps on the feet of birds or insects. Spores lack a thick resistant coat, which may indicate their longevity is brief, probably measured in days at most. Due to the weak differences between seasons, there seems to be no evidence of seasonality in growth or reproduction. Additional information on reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors is not available (Service 1999a; Linney 1989).

Historically,

Adenophorus periens

was known from Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, East Maui, and Hawaii Island. Currently, it is known from several locations on Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii. On Molokai, it is found in a single population containing seven individuals on the privately owned land within TNCH's Kamakou Preserve (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Adenophorus periens

is an epiphyte usually growing on

Metrosideros polymorpha

trunks, is found in

Metrosideros polymorpha

-

Myrsine lessertiana

forest at elevations between 811 and 1,508 m (2,660 and 4,946 ft). It is found in habitats of well-developed, closed canopy providing deep shade and high humidity. Associated native species include

Broussasia arguta,

Cheirodendron trigynum, Coprosma ochracea, Cyanea

sp.,

Cyrtandra

sp. (haiwale),

Dicranopteris linearis, Freycinetia arborea, Hedyotis terminalis, Labordia hirtella

(NCN),

Machaerina angustifolia

(uki),

Psychotria hexandra

(kopiko),

Styphelia tameiameiae, Ilex anomala, Vaccinium calycinum

(ohelo),

Cibotium glaucum

(hapuu),

Melicope

sp.,

Viola robusta

(pamakani),

Stenogyne kamehamehae

(NCN),

Anoectochilus sandvicensis

(jewel orchid), or

Syzygium sandwicensis

(HINHP Database 2000; Service 1999a; Linney 1989).

The threats to this species on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs and goats, and competition with the non-native plant

Psidium cattleianum

(strawberry guava) (HINHP Database 2000; 59 FR 56333; Service 1999a).

Alectryon macrococcus

(mahoe)

Alectryon macrococcus,

a long-lived perennial member of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), consists of two varieties,

macrococcus

and

auwahiensis

, both of which are trees with reddish-brown branches and net-veined paper- or leather-like leaves with one to five pairs of sometimes asymmetrical egg-shaped leaflets. The underside of the leaf has dense brown hairs only when young in

A. macrococcus

var.

macrococcus

and whether young or mature (persistent) in

A. macrococcus

var.

auwahiensis

(only found on East Maui). The only member of its genus found in Hawaii, this species is distinguished from other Hawaiian members of its family by being a tree with a hard fruit 2.5 cm (0.9 in) or more in diameter (Kimura and Nagata 1980; Wagner

et al.

1999).

Alectryon macrococcus

is a relatively slow-growing tree that grows in xeric to mesic sites and is adapted to periodic drought. Little else is known about the life history of this species. Flowering cycles, pollination vectors, seed dispersal agents, and specific environmental requirements are unknown (Service 1997).

Historically and currently,

Alectryon macrococcus

var.

macrococcus

is known from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Molokai. On Molokai, it is found on the privately owned land of TNCH's Kamakou Preserve, along the Puu Kolekole jeep road, Kaunakakai Gulch, and Kamiloloa Gulch in a total of three populations containing nine individuals on State and privately owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Alectryon macrococcus

var.

macrococcus

typically grows on dry or talus slopes or in gulches within dry or mesic lowland forest between elevations of 534 and 1,120 m (1,751 and 3,674 ft). Associated native plants include

Dodonaea viscosa, Nestegis sandwicensis, Nothocestrum

sp. (aiea),

Pleomele

sp. (halapepe),

Psychotria

sp.,

Streblus pendulina

(aiai),

Myrsine

sp. (kolea), or

Lipochaeta

sp. (nehe) (Service 1997; HINHP Database 2000; Wagner

et al.

1999).

The threats to

Alectryon macrococcus

var.

macrococcus

on Molokai include

habitat degradation by feral goats and pigs; competition from non-native plant species, such as

Melinus minutiflora, Pennisetum clandestinum

(kikuyu grass),

Schinus terebinthifolius,

and

Psidium cattleianum;

damage from the black twig borer (

Xylosandrus compactus

); seed predation by rats, mice (

Mus domesticus

), and insects (probably the endemic microlepidopteran (small caterpillar)

Prays

cf.

fulvocanella

); loss of pollinators; and catastrophic extinction through a single natural or human-caused environmental disturbance (

e.g.

, fire) due to the very small remaining number of individuals and their limited distribution on Molokai (Service 1997; 57 FR 20772; HINHP Database 2000).

Bonamia menziesii (NCN)

Bonamia menziesii,

a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) and a short-lived perennial, is a vine with twining branches that are fuzzy when young. This species is the only member of the genus that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and differs from other genera in the family by its two styles, longer stems and petioles, and rounder leaves (Austin 1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Bonamia menziesii.

Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Bonamia menziesii

was known from Kauai, the Waianae Mountains of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and the Island of Hawaii. Currently, this species is extant on Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Maui, and the Island of Hawaii. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1918 from Maunaloa by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

There is currently no information about the preferred habitat of or threats to

Bonamia menziesii

on Molokai.

Brighamia rockii

(pua ala)

Brighamia rockii,

a long-lived perennial member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), grows as an unbranched stem succulent with a thickened stem that tapers from the base. This species is a member of a unique endemic Hawaiian genus with only one other species, found on Kauai, from which it differs by the color of its petals, its longer calyx (fused sepals) lobes, and its shorter flower stalks (Lammers 1999).

Observations of

Brighamia rockii

by Gemmill (1996) have provided the following information: the reproductive system is protandrous, meaning there is a time separation between the production of male and female gametes, in this case a separation of several days; only 5 percent of the flowers produce pollen; very few fruits are produced per inflorescence; there are 20 to 60 seeds per capsule; and plants in cultivation at an age of 9 months have flowers. This species was observed in flower during August (HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a).

Historically,

Brighamia rockii

ranged along the northern coast of East Molokai from Kalaupapa to Halawa and may possibly have grown on Lanai and Maui. Currently, it is only extant on Molokai in a total of four populations with between 121 to 131 individual plants occurring on State and privately owned lands. It occurs on steep, inaccessible sea cliffs along East Molokai's northern coastline from Anapuhi Beach to Wailau Valley on private lands, and on the relatively inaccessible State-owned sea stack of Huelo, east of Anapuhi Beach (HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt.

2000; GDSI 2000; Lammers 1999).

On Molokai,

Brighamia rockii

is found in rock crevices on steep basalt sea cliffs, often within the spray zone, in coastal dry or mesic forest,

Eragrostis variabilis

(kawelu) mixed coastal cliff communities, or shrubland, or

Pritchardia

sp. (loulu) coastal mesic forest between sea level and 671 m (0 and 2,201 ft). Associated native species include

Pritchardia hillebrandii

(loulu),

Chamaesyce celastroides

var.

amplectans

(akoko),

Wikstroemia uva-ursi

(akia),

Carex wahuensis

ssp.

wahuensis

(NCN),

Mariscus phleoides

ssp.

phleoides

(NCN),

Eragrostis variabilis, Dianella sandwicensis

(ukiuki),

Cocculus trilobus

(huehue),

Phymatosorus scolopendria

(lauae),

Crytomium falcatum

(ahina kuahiwi),

Lepidium bidentatum

var.

o-waihiense

(anaunau),

Pittosporum halophilum

(hoawa),

Artemisia

sp.,

Bidens

sp. (kookoolau),

Schiedea globosa

(NCN),

Reynoldsia sandwicensis

(ohe),

Pandanus tectorius

(hala),

Peucedanum sandwicensis

(makou),

Hedyotis littoralis

(NCN),

Metrosideros polymorpha, Psydrax odorata, Diospyros sandwicensis, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Tetramolopium cassia

(pamakani),

Senna gaudichaudii

(kolomona), or

Scaevola sericea

(naupaka kahakai) (HINHP Database 2000; Lammers 1999; K. Wood,

in litt.

2000).

The threats to this species on Molokai are habitat degradation (and possibly predation) by axis deer and goats; competition with the non-native plants,

Cyperus gracilis

(McCoy grass),

Digitaria ciliaris

(Henry's crabgrass),

Digitaria insularis

(sourgrass),

Ficus microcarpa

(Chinese banyan),

Kalanchoe pinnata, Lantana camara

(lantana),

Oxalis corniculata

(yellow wood sorrel),

Pluchea symphytifolia

(sourbush),

Portulaca oleracea

(pigweed), and

Solanum seaforthianum

(NCN); seed predation by rats; and lack of pollinators (Service 1996a; 57 FR 46325; HINHP Database 2000).

Centaurium sebaeoides

(awiwi)

Centaurium sebaeoides,

a member of the gentian family (Gentianaceae), is an annual herb with fleshy leaves and stalkless flowers. This species is distinguished from

Centaurium erythraea

(bitter herb), which is naturalized in Hawaii, by its fleshy leaves and the unbranched arrangement of the flower cluster (Wagner

et al.

1999).

Centaurium sebaeoides

has been observed flowering in April. Flowering may be induced by heavy rainfall. Populations are found in dry areas, and plants are more likely to be found following heavy rains. This species appears to be a determinate annual; triggered by declining photoperiod, the plant produces seeds and dies. Medeiros

et al.

(1999) noted that in the wild seedlings first appeared in March and April; flowers first appeared in April and May; mature capsules were observed beginning in May and continuing through June; and by the first week of July, most plants were dead. No additional life history information is available for this plant (Service 1995a).

Historically and currently,

Centaurium sebaeoides

is known from scattered localities on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui. Currently on Molokai, there are a total of five populations containing thousands of individuals, near Mokio Point on privately owned land and in Kalaupapa National Historical Park which is on State-owned land managed by the National Park Service (Chuck Chimera, formerly with Biological Resources Division (BRD), pers. comm. 2000; GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Wagner

et al.

1999).

On Molokai,

Centaurium sebaeoides

grows in volcanic or clay soils or on cliffs in arid coastal areas at elevations between sea level and 409 m (0 and 1,341 ft). Associated species include

Chamaesyce celastroides

(akoko),

Dodonaea viscosa, Fimbristylis cymosa, Heteropogon contortus

(pili grass),

Lipochaeta heterophylla

(nehe),

Lipochaeta integrifolia, Lycium sandwicense

(ohelo kai),

Lysimachia mauritiana

(kolokolo kuahiwi),

Mariscus phleoides

(NCN),

Panicum fauriei

(NCN),

Panicum torridum

(kakonakona),

Scaevola sericea, Schiedea globosa, Sida fallax,

Wikstroemia uva-ursi, Artemisia

sp.,

Bidens

sp.,

Jacquemontia ovalifolia

(pauohiiaka), or

Lipochaeta succulenta

(nehe) (Medeiros

et al.

1999; 56 FR 55770; Wagner

et al.

1999).

The major threats to this species on Molokai are displacement by non-native, woody species, such as:

Casuarina equisetifolia

(paina),

Casuarina glauca

(saltmarsh),

Leucaena leucocephala

(koa haole),

Prosopis pallida, Schinus terebinthifolius, Syzygium cumini

(Java plum), and

Tournefortia argentea

(tree heliotrope); trampling and habitat degradation by feral goats and cattle; and damage caused by off-road vehicles (Medeiros

et al.

1999).

Ctenitis squamigera

(pauoa)

Ctenitis squamigera

is a short-lived perennial and a member of the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae). It has a rhizome (horizontal stem) 5 to 10 millimeters (mm) (0.2 to 0.4 in) thick, creeping above the ground and densely covered with scales similar to those on the lower part of the leaf stalk.

Ctenitis squamigera

can be readily distinguished from other Hawaiian species of

Ctenitis

by the dense covering of tan-colored scales on its fronds (Wagner and Wagner 1992; Degener and Degener 1957).

Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1998b).

Historically,

Ctenitis squamigera

was recorded from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. It is currently found on Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, and Maui. There is currently a single population with 20 individuals on the island of Molokai in Wawaia Gulch on privately owned land (GDSI 2000; J. Lau,

in litt.

2000; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Ctenitis squamigera

is found in mesic forest and gulch slopes between elevations of 757 and 1,133 m (2,483 and 3,716 ft). Associated native plant taxa include

Metrosideros polymorpha, Diospyros sandwicensis, Nestegis sandwicensis, Xylosma hawaiiense

(maua),

Pouteria sandwicensis, Nephrolepis exaltata, Carex meyenii, Dryopteris unidentata

(NCN), or

Pleomele auwahiensis

(J. Lau,

in litt.

2000; Service 1998b; 59 FR 49025).

The primary threats to

Ctenitis squamigera

are habitat degradation by goats, and competition with the non-native plant taxa

Schinus terebinthifolius

and

Melinis minutiflora

(J. Lau,

in litt.

2000; Service 1998b; 59 FR 49025).

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana

(haha)

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana,

a short-lived perennial member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), is a shrub with pinnately divided leaves. This species is distinguished from others in this endemic Hawaiian genus by the pinnately lobed leaf margins and the width of the leaf blades. This subspecies is distinguished from the other two subspecies by the shape and size of the calyx lobes, which overlap at the base (Lammers 1999).

Little is known about the life history of this plant. On Molokai, flowering plants have been observed in July and August. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically and currently,

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana

is known from Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui. On Molokai, it is found in a total of two populations containing eight individuals, in Wailau, Puu Kahea and Olokui NAR on State-owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Service 1999a).

On Molokai,

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana

is typically found in mesic forest often dominated by

Metrosideros polymorpha

or

Metrosideros polymorpha

and

Acacia koa

(koa), or on cliffs, at elevations between 93 and 1,354 m (305 and 4,441 ft). Associated plants include

Psychotria

sp.,

Bobea

sp. (ahakea),

Antidesma

sp. (hame),

Syzygium sandwicensis, Xylosma

sp. (maua),

Cibotium

sp.,

Doodia

sp. (okupukupulauii),

Nephrolepis

sp. (kupukupu),

Cyrtandra

sp.,

Dicranopteris linearis,

or

Freycinetia arborea

(HINHP Database 2000).

The threats to this species on Molokai are habitat degradation and/or destruction caused by axis deer, feral goats, and pigs; competition with various non-native plants, such as

Clidemia hirta

; catastrophic extinction by randomly naturally occurring events (e.g., fire, landslides) due to the small number of existing individuals; trampling by hikers; seed predation by rats; and predation by various slugs (

Milax

spp.) (HINHP Database 2000; 61 FR 53108; Service 1999a).

Cyperus trachysanthos

(Puukaa)

Cyperus trachysanthos

, a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae), is a short-lived perennial grass-like plant with a short rhizome (underground stem). The culms (aerial stems) are densely tufted, obtusely triangular in cross section, tall, sticky, and leafy at the base. This species is distinguished from others in the genus by the short rhizome, the leaf sheath with partitions at the nodes, the shape of the glumes, and the length of the culms (Koyama 1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Cyperus trachysanthos

. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Cyperus trachysanthos

was known from Niihau, Kauai, and scattered locations on Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai. This species is now extant on Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1912 from Maunaloa by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

There is currently no information about the preferred habitat of or threats to

Cyperus trachysanthos

on Molokai.

Diellia erecta

(Asplenium-leaved Diellia)

Diellia erecta

, a short-lived perennial member of the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae), is a fern that grows in tufts of 3 to 9 lance-shaped fronds which emerge from a rhizome covered with brown to dark gray scales. This species differs from other members of the genus in having brown or dark gray scales usually more than 2 cm (0.8 in) in length, fused or separate sori along both margins, shiny black midribs that have a hardened surface, and veins that do not usually encircle the sori (Degener and Greenwell 1950; Robinson 1912; Wagner 1952).

Little is known about the life history of this taxon. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Diellia erecta

was known from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. Currently, it is known from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. On Molokai, it is known from a total of three populations containing at least 10 individuals in Halawa Valley, Kahuaawi Gulch, Makolelau and Onini Gulch on privately owned lands (HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt

. 1999; Service 1999a).

On Molokai,

Diellia erecta

is found in mixed mesic forest and mesic

Diospyros sandwicensis

forest between elevations of 750 and 1,133 m (2,460 and 3,716 ft). Associated native plant species include

Alyxia oliviformis

,

Metrosideros polymorpha

,

Bobea

sp.,

Coprosma foliosa

(pilo),

Dodonaea viscosa

,

Dryopteris unidentata

,

Myrsine

sp.,

Ochrosia compta

(holei),

Dubautia linearis

ssp.

opposita

(naenae),

Psychotria

sp.,

Pleomele auwahiensis

,

Sophora chrysophylla

,

Styphelia

tameiameiae

,

Syzygium sandwicensis

, or

Wikstroemia

sp. (HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt

. 1999).

The major threats to

Diellia erecta

on Molokai are habitat degradation by pigs, goats, and axis deer; competition with the non-native plant species

Fraxinus uhdei

(tropical ash),

Ricinus communis

,

Melinus minutiflora

,

Psidium cattleianum

, and

Blechnum occidentale

(NCN); and catastrophic extinction due to random naturally occurring events and reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of existing individuals (HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt.

1999; 59 FR 56333; Service 1999a).

Diplazium molokaiense

(NCN)

Diplazium molokaiense

, a short-lived member of the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae), has a short prostrate rhizome. The leaf stalks are 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) long and green or straw colored. The frond is thin textured, ovate-oblong, 15 to 50 cm (6 to 20 in) long and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) wide, truncate at the base, and pinnate with a pinnatifid apex. The sori are 0.8 to 1.3 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in) long and lie alongside the side veins of the pinnae.

Diplazium molokaiense

can be distinguished from other species of

Diplazium

in the Hawaiian Islands by a combination of characters, including venation pattern, the length and arrangement of the sori, frond shape, and the degree of dissection of the frond (Wagner and Wagner 1992).

Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements and limiting factors for

Diplazium molokaiense

are unknown (Service 1998a).

Historically,

Diplazium molokaiense

was found on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui. Currently, this species is extant on Maui. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1912 from Kaluaaha Valley by C. N. Forbes (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Diplazium molokaiense

was found on steep, rocky, wooded gulch walls in wet forests between elevations of 97 and 1,349 m (318 and 4,424 ft) elevation (HINHP Database 2000).

There is no information on threats that may effect

Diplazium molokaiense

on Molokai.

Eugenia koolauensis

(nioi)

Eugenia koolauensis

, a member of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is a long-lived perennial tree or shrub between 2 and 7 m (7 and 23 ft) tall with branch tips covered with dense brown hairs.

Eugenia koolauensis

is one of two species in the genus that are native to Hawaii, it differs from the other species in having leaves that are densely hairy on the lower surface and leaf margins that curve under the leaves (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

This species has been observed in flower from February to December in various years. No other information exists on reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, or limiting factors (Service 1998b).

Historically,

Eugenia koolauensis

was known from Maunaloa on western Molokai and from Oahu. Currently, this species is extant on Oahu. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1912 from the west end of the island by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Eugenia koolauensis

was found in rocky gulches or on gentle slopes with deep soil between 475 and 989 m (1,558 and 3,244 ft) in elevation. Associated native plant species include

Nestegis sandwicensis

,

Nototrichium sandwicensis

,

Xylosma hawaiiensee

,

Diospyros sandwicensis

,

Nesoluma polynesicum

,

Reynoldsia sandwicensis

, or

Erythrina sandwicensis

(wiliwili) (J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001).

No information on threats that may affect

Eugenia koolauensis

on Molokai is available.

Flueggea neowawraea

(mehamehame)

Flueggea neowawraea

, a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and a long-lived perennial, is a large tree up to 30 m (100 ft) tall and 2 m (7 ft) in diameter with white oblong pores covering its scaly, pale brown bark. The thin, papery, oval leaves, 4 to 14 cm (1.5 to 5.5 in) long and 2 to 9 cm (0.8 to 3.5 in) wide, are green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. This species is usually dioecious (having separate male and female plants) with unisexual flowers lacking petals. Male flowers, on stalks less than 4 mm (0.2 in) long, have five green sepals with brownish tips. The female flowers, on stalks 1 to 2.5 mm (0.04 to 0.1 in) long, have sepals of unequal length with irregular margins. This species is the only member of the genus found in Hawaii and can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its large size; scaly bark; the shape, size, and color of the leaves; flowers clustered along the branches; and the size and shape of the fruits (Hayden 1999).

Individual trees of

Flueggea neowawraea

bear only male or female flowers, and must be cross-pollinated from a different tree to produce viable seed. Little else is known about the life history of this species. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a; Hayden 1999).

Historically,

Flueggea neowawraea

was known from Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and the island of Hawaii. Currently, this species is found on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the island of Hawaii. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1931 from Waihii by G. W. Russ (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Flueggea neowawraea

occurred in gulches in mesic forest between 450 and 840 m (1,476 and 2,755 ft) elevation (J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001).

No information on threats that may affect

Flueggea neowawraea

on Molokai is available.

Hedyotis mannii

(pilo)

Hedyotis mannii

, a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), is a short-lived perennial with smooth, usually erect stems 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) long, which are woody at the base and four-angled or -winged. The leaves are opposite, thin in texture and elliptic to sometimes lance-shaped. Stipules (leaf-like appendages), which are attached to the slightly winged leaf stalks where they join and clasp the stem, are triangular. Flowers are arranged in loose clusters up to 30 cm (1 ft) long at the ends of the stems and are either bisexual or female. This species' growth habit; its quadrangular or winged stems; the shape, size, and texture of its leaves; and its dry capsule, which opens when mature, separate it from other species of the genus (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically and currently,

Hedyotis mannii

is found on Lanai, West Maui, and Molokai. After an absence of 50 years, this species was rediscovered on Molokai in 1987 by Steve Perlman on private land in Kawela Gulch in TNCH's Kamakou Preserve. Only five plants are known to exist in this area (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Hedyotis mannii

grows on dark, narrow, rocky gulch walls in mesic and wet forests at 593 to 1,212 m (1,945 to 3,975 ft) in elevation. Associated plant species include

Pipturus

sp.,

Cibotium

sp.,

Cyanea

sp.,

Scaevola

sp., or

Psychotria

sp. (Wagner

et al

. 1999; HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a).

The threats to

Hedyotis mannii

on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs; competition with the non-native plant

Melinis minutiflora

; and catastrophic extinction through random environmental events to which the limited number of individuals are extremely vulnerable (HINHP Database 2000; 57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Hesperomannia arborescens

(NCN)

Hesperomannia arborescens

, a long-lived perennial member of the aster family (Asteraceae), is a small shrubby tree that usually stands 1.5 to 5 m (5 to 16 ft) tall. This member of an endemic Hawaiian genus differs from other

Hesperomannia

species in having the following combination of characters: erect to ascending flower heads, thick flower head stalks, and usually hairless and relatively narrow leaves (Wagner

et al.

1999).

This species was observed in flower from April through June and fruit during March and June. No other information is available on reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors (Service 1998c).

Hesperomannia arborescens

was formerly known from Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu. This species is now known from Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. On Molokai, one population of five individuals is known from private land (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Hesperomannia arborescens

is found on slopes or ridges in wet

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dicranopteris linearis

lowland forest or mesic

Diospyros sandwicensis-Metrosideros polymorpha

lowland forest transition zones between 175 and 959 m (574 and 3,145 ft) in elevation. Associated native species include

Broussaisia arguta

,

Freycinetia arborea

,

Antidesma

sp.,

Cibotium glaucum

,

Psychotria mauiensis

(kopiko),

Elaphoglossum

sp. (ekaha),

Coprosma

sp.,

Hedyotis

sp.,

Cheirodendron

sp.,

Smilax melastomifolia

(hoi kuahiwi),

Clermontia pallida

(oha wai),

Thelypteris

sp. (palapalaia),

Diplopterygium pinnatum

(uluhe lau nui),

Ilex anomala

,

Myrsine

sp.,

Urera glabra

,

Cyrtandra

sp.,

Pipturus

sp.,

Boehmeria grandis

,

Nestegis sandwicensis

,

Nephrolepis exaltata

, or

Wikstroemia

sp. (HINHP Database 2000).

The major threats to

Hesperomannia arborescens

on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs, goats, and humans; competition with non-native plant taxa, such as

Clidemia hirta

,

Kalanchoe pinnata

, and

Rubus rosifolius

; and catastrophic extinction due to random environmental events or reduced reproductive vigor due to this species' limited numbers (59 FR 14482; HINHP Database 2000).

Hibiscus brackenridgei

(mao hau hele)

Hibiscus brackenridgei

, a short-lived perennial member of the mallow family (Malvaceae), is a sprawling to erect shrub or small tree. This species differs from other members of the genus in having the following combination of characteristics'yellow petals, a calyx consisting of triangular lobes with raised veins and a single midrib, bracts attached below the calyx, and thin stipules that fall off, leaving an elliptic scar. Three subspecies of

Hibiscus brackenridgei

are now recognized,

brackenridgei

,

molokaiana

, and

mokuleianus

. Subspecies

molokaiana

was found on the island of Molokai. When we listed this species in 1994 only two subspecies,

brackenridgei

and

mokuleianus

, were recognized. Subsequent to the final rule listing this species in 1994 we became aware of Wilson's (1993) taxonomic treatment of this group in which

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

molokaiana

was changed to subspecies status and recognized as distinct from

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

brackenridgei

. Wilson's (1993) treatment is cited in the supplement in the revised edition of the “Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii” as the basis for recognizing

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

molokaiana

. We will address this name change in a future

Federal Register

notice (HINHP Database 2000; Bates 1999; Wilson 1993; Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Hibiscus brackenridgei

is known to flower continuously from early February through late May, and intermittently at other times of year. Intermittent flowering may possibly be tied to day length. Little else is known about the life history of this plant. Pollination biology, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

molokaiana

was known from Molokai and is currently found on Oahu. This species was last collected on Molokai in1920 from Laau Point by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

molokaiana

occurred on slopes in lowland dry forest and shrubland from 11 to 467 m (36 to 1,531 ft) in elevation (J. Lau,

in litt.

2001; HINHP Database 2000).

No information on threats that may affect

Hibiscus brackenridgei

ssp.

molokaiana

on Molokai is available.

Ischaemum byrone

(Hilo ischaemum)

Ischaemum byrone

, a member of the grass family (Poaceae), is a short-lived perennial species with creeping underground and erect stems.

Ischaemum byrone

can be distinguished from other Hawaiian grasses by its tough outer flower bracts, dissimilar basic flower units, which are awned and two-flowered, and a di- or trichotomously-(two or three part) branching inflorescence (O'Connor 1999).

No life history information is currently available for this species (Service 1996b).

Ischaemum byrone

was historically distributed on Kauai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. Currently, this species is found on Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. On Molokai, there are a total of two populations containing between 100 to 1,000 individuals located in Wailau Valley and the eastern edge of Kikipua on privately owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; 59 FR 10305).

On Molokai,

Ischaemum byrone

is found in coastal dry shrubland or

Artemisia

sp. cliff communities, near the ocean, among rocks or on basalt cliffs or talus slopes, and elevations between sea level and 238 m (0 and 781 ft). Associated taxa include

Bidens molokaiensis

(NCN),

Hedyotis littoralis

,

Lysimachia mauritiana

,

Fimbristylis cymosa

, or

Pandanus tectorius

(hala) (HINHP Database 2000; Gagne and Cuddihy 1999; O'Connor 1999).

The threats to

Ischaemum byrone

on Molokai are competition by non-native grasses, particularly

Digitaria ciliaris

; predation by goats and axis deer; and elimination and degradation of habitat through fire and residential development (Service 1996b).

Isodendrion pyrifolium

(wahine noho kula)

Isodendrion pyrifolium

, a short-lived perennial member of the violet family (Violaceae), is a small, branched shrub. The species is distinguished from other taxa in the genus by its smaller, green-yellow flowers, and hairy stipules and leaf veins (Wagner

et al.

1999).

During periods of drought, this species will drop all but the newest leaves. After sufficient rains, the plants produce flowers with seeds ripening one to two months later. No further information is available on reproductive cycles, specific environmental requirements, or limiting factors (Service 1996c).

Isodendrion pyrifolium

was known historically from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Niihau, Molokai, and Lanai. Currently, this species is only extant on the island of Hawaii. This species was last collected on Molokai in the 1800s (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Isodendrion pyrifolium

was found in dry shrublands between 69 and 422 m (226 and 1,384 ft) elevation. Associated native plant species included

Dodonaea viscosa, Heteropogon contortus, Styphelia tameiameiae,

or

Bidens menziesii

(J.

Lau,

in litt.

2001; Wagner

et al.

1999; HINHP Database 2000).

No information on threats that may have affected

Isodendrion pyrifolium

on Molokai is available.

Mariscus fauriei (NCN)

Mariscus fauriei,

a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae), is a short-lived perennial plant with somewhat enlarged underground stems and three-angled, single or grouped aerial stems 10 to 50 cm (4 to 20 in) tall. It has leaves shorter than or the same length as the stems 1 to 3.5 mm (0.04 to 0.1 in) wide. This species differs from others in the genus in Hawaii by its smaller size and its narrower, flattened, and more spreading spikelets (Koyama 1999; 59 FR 56333).

Currently, the reproductive cycle, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown for this species (Service 1996b).

Historically,

Mariscus fauriei

was found on east Molokai, Lanai, and the island of Hawaii. This species is no longer extant on Lanai. Currently on Molokai, one population with 20 to 30 plants occurs above Kamiloloa on State-owned land (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Mariscus fauriei

typically grows in

Diospyros sandwicensis

-dominated lowland dry forests, often on a lava substrate, at elevations between 436 and 1,120 m (1,430 and 3,673 ft). Associated species include

Psydrax odorata, Peperomia

sp. (ala ala wai nui), or

Rauvolfia sandwicensis

(hao) (HINHP Database 2000; Koyama 1999).

The threats to

Mariscus fauriei

on Molokai are predation and habitat degradation by feral goats and axis deer. Because there is only one known population on Molokai, the species is threatened by the risk of extinction through random environmental events and through reduced reproductive vigor (Service 1996b; 59 FR 56333).

Marsilea villosa

(ihiihi)

Marsilea villosa,

a member of the marsilea family (Marsileaceae), is a short-lived perennial aquatic to semiaquatic fern similar in appearance to a four-leaved clover. The leaves are borne in pairs along a thin rhizome. The leaves and rhizomes vary in pubescence, depending on the aridity of the habitat at the time of development. A hard sporocarp (hard-walled case containing male and female spores) is borne at the base of a leaf pair. The young sporocarp, like the rhizome, is covered with rust-colored hairs, which are lost as the sporocarp matures. The plant occurs either in scattered clumps or as a dense interwoven mat, depending on the competition with other species for limited habitat resources. The species is the only member of the genus native to Hawaii and is closely related to

Marsilea vestita

(NCN) of the western coast of the United States (Service 1996c).

Marsilea villosa

requires periodic flooding for spore release and fertilization, then a decrease in water levels for the young plants to establish, and finally dry soil for sporocarps to mature. Shading reduces vigor of

Marsilea villosa.

No other life history information is currently available for this species (Service 1996c).

Marsilea villosa

was known historically from Oahu, Molokai and Niihau. Currently, it is found only on Oahu and Molokai. On Molokai there are four populations with an unspecified number of individuals located at Kamaka ipo, Ilio Point, Kaiehu Point, and from Kaeo to Mokio on State- and privately owned lands (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Marsilea villosa

typically occurs in shallow depressions in clay soil, or lithified sand dunes overlaid with alluvial clay. All reported populations occur at elevations between 125 and 172 m (410 and 564 ft) elevation. While

Marsilea villosa

can withstand minimal shading, it appears most vigorous growing in open areas. The associated native vegetation of

Marsilea villosa

on Molokai includes

Heteropogon contortus, Sida fallax, Waltheria indica

(uhaloa),

Centaurium sebaeoides, Tetramolopium sylvae

(pamakani), or

Schiedea globosa

(Service 1996c).

The threats to

Marsilea villosa

on Molokai are the destruction of natural hydrology; encroachment and competition from naturalized, non-native plants such as

Cenchrus ciliaris

(buffelgrass),

Prosopis pallida, Lantana camara, Digitaria insularis,

and

Chamaecrista nictitans

(partridge pea); damage by off-road vehicles or by grazing cattle and axis deer; habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation through development, fire, trampling by humans and introduced mammals; and catastrophic extinction from random environmental events and reduced reproductive vigor due to few populations and small population sizes (Service 1996c; 57 FR 27863).

Melicope mucronulata

(alani)

Melicope mucronulata,

a long-lived perennial of the citrus family (Rutaceae), is a small tree up to 13 ft (4 m) tall with oval to elliptic-oval leaves. This species is distinguished from others in the genus by the growth habit, the number of flowers in each flower cluster, the size and shape of the fruit, and the degree of hairiness of the leaves and fruit walls (Stone

et al.

1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1997).

First discovered in 1920 in Kanaio, East Maui,

Melicope mucronulata

was not relocated until 1983. On Molokai, one population of two individuals was then found two years later in Kupaia on the privately owned Kamakou Preserve (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Stone

et al.

1999).

On Molokai,

Melicope mucronulata

occurs on steep, west- or north-facing slopes in mesic

Diospyros sandwicensis-Metrosideros polymorpha

forest,

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dodonaea viscosa

shrubland, or

Metrosideros polymorpha-Styphelia tameiameiae

shrubland between elevations of 199 and 1,143 m (653 and 3,749 ft). Associated native species include

Alyxia oliviformis, Nestegis sandwicensis, Coprosma foliosa, Psychotria mariniana

(kopiko),

Pleomele auwahiensis, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Ochrosia compta, Myrsine lanaiensis

(kolea),

Alphitonia ponderosa

(kauila),

Pittosporum

sp.,

Hedyotis terminalis, Melicope hawaiensis

(alani), or

Phyllanthus

sp. (NCN) (HINHP Database 2000; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

On Molokai, the major threat to the continued existence of this species is catastrophic extinction from random environmental events due to the few extant populations and small number of individuals. Habitat degradation by goats and pigs; predation by goats; and competition with non-native plants, particularly

Melinis minutiflora,

also pose immediate threats to this species (Service 1997; 57 FR 20772).

Melicope munroi

(alani)

Melicope munroi,

a long lived perennial of the citrus family (Rutaceae), is a sprawling shrub up to 3 m (10 ft) tall. The new growth of this species is minutely hairy. This species differs from other Hawaiian members of the genus in the shape of the leaf and the length of the inflorescence (a flower cluster) stalk (Stone

et al.

1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Melicope munroi.

Its flowering cycles, pollination vectors, seed dispersal agents, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 2001).

Historically, this species was known from the Lanaihale summit ridge of Lanai and above Kamalo on Molokai.

Currently,

Melicope munroi

is only known from the Lanaihale summit ridge on Lanai. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1910 from Kamalo by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

There is currently no information about the preferred habitat of or threats to

Melicope munroi

on Molokai.

Neraudia sericea

(NCN)

Neraudia sericea,

a short-lived perennial and a member of the nettle family (Urticaceae), is a 3 to 5 m (10 to 16 ft) tall shrub with densely hairy branches. The elliptic or oval leaves have smooth margins or slightly toothed margins on young leaves. The upper leaf surface is moderately hairy and the lower leaf surface is densely covered with irregularly curved, silky gray to white hairs along the veins. The male flowers may be stalkless or have short stalks. The female flowers are stalkless and have a densely hairy calyx that is either toothed, collar-like, or divided into narrow unequal segments. The fruits are achenes with the apical section separated from the basal portion by a deep constriction. Seeds are oval with a constriction across the upper half.

Neraudia sericea

differs from the other four closely related species of this endemic Hawaiian genus by the density, length, color, and posture of the hairs on the lower leaf surface and by its mostly entire leaf margins (Wagner

et al.

1999).

Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors is generally unknown (Service 1999a).

Neraudia sericea

was known historically from Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe. Currently, this species is found only on Maui and Molokai. On Molokai, one population of 50 to 100 individuals is known from Makolelau on privately owned land (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Neraudia sericea

generally occurs on gulch slopes and gulch bottoms in lowland dry to mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha-Dodonaea viscosa-Styphelia tameiameiae

shrubland or forest between 691 and 1,043 m (2,266 and 3,421 ft) in elevation. Other associated plant species include

Pleomele auwahiensis, Alyxia oliviformis, Coprosma

sp., or

Hedyotis

sp. (HINHP Database 2000; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001; Wagner

et al.

1999).

The primary threats to

Neraudia sericea

on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral pigs and goats; competition with the non-native plant,

Melinus minutiflora;

and catastrophic extinction through random environmental events due to the vulnerability of a single population (Service 1999a; 59 FR 56333).

Peucedanum sandwicense

(makou)

Peucedanum sandwicense,

a short lived perennial and a member of the parsley family (Apiaceae), is a parsley-scented, sprawling herb. Hollow stems arise from a short, vertical, perennial stem with several fleshy roots. This species is the only member of the genus in the Hawaiian Islands (Constance and Affolter 1999).

Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors is generally unknown (Service 1995b).

Historically and currently,

Peucedanum sandwicense

was known from Molokai, Maui, and Kauai. Discoveries in 1990 extended the known distribution of this species to the island of Oahu. On Molokai, four populations are known from private and State-owned lands in Pelekunu Valley, on Huelo Islet and Mokapu Islet, and State-owned lands managed by the National Park Service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, totaling approximately 50 individuals (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt

. 2000; Service 1995b).

On Molokai,

Peucedanum sandwicense

grows in cliff habitats in brown soil and talus in

Chamaesyce celastroides

var.

amplectans-Chenopodium oahuense

coastal dry shrubland or

Diospyros sandwicensis

forest from sea level to above 840 m (2,755 ft) and is associated with native species, such as

Eragrostis

sp. (kawelu),

Santalum ellipticum

(iliahialoe),

Pritchardia hillebrandii, Reynoldsia sandwicensis, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Scaevola sericea, Senna gaudichaudii, Pittosporum halophilum, Sida fallax, Plumbago zeylanica

(iliee),

Artemisia australis

(ahinahina),

Portulaca lutea

(ihi),

Lepidium bidentatum

var.

o-waihiense, Schiedea globosa, Lipochaeta integrifolia, Peperomia remyi

(NCN),

Plectranthus parviflorus

(ala ala wai nui),

Dianella sandwicensis,

or

Metrosideros polymorpha

(Constance and Affolter 1999; Service 1995b; HINHP Database 2000; K. Wood,

in litt

. 2000).

Threats to

Peucedanum sandwicense

on Molokai are seed predation by rats and competition with the non-native plant species

Ageratum conyzoides

(maile hohono),

Coronopus didymus

(swinecress),

Kalanchoe pinnata, Lantana camara, Malvastrum coromandelianum

ssp.

coromandelianum

(false mallow),

Morinda citrifolia

(noni),

Plantago lanceolata

(English plantain),

Pluchea carolinensis

(sourbush),

Portulaca oleracea

,

Elaphantopus spicatus

(NCN),

Schinus terebinthifolius

, and

Sonchus oleraceus

(pualele) (Service 1995b; 59 FR 9304; K. Wood,

in litt

. 2000).

Phyllostegia mannii

(NCN)

Phyllostegia mannii

, a short-lived perennial and nonaromatic member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is a climbing vine with many-branched, four-sided, hairy stems. The opposite, hairy leaves, which are shaped like narrow triangles or narrow triangular ovals, have coarsely toothed margins. Clusters of four to six white flowers are arranged in each of several false whorls along an unbranched flowering stem. The fruits are fleshy, dark-green to black nutlets (dry seeds with a hard outer covering). This species is distinguished from others in the genus by its hairiness; its thin, narrow leaves, which are not pinnately divided; and the usually six flowers per false whorl in a terminal inflorescence (Wagner

et al.

1999).

This species was observed with fruit in July. Currently, no additional life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

Historically,

Phyllostegia mannii

was found from Hanalilolilo to Ohialele on East Molokai and at Ukulele on East Maui. It has not been seen on Maui for over 70 years and is apparently extirpated on that island. On Molokai, this species is now known from only one individual on Puu Alii on privately owned land (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a).

On Molokai,

Phyllostegia mannii

grows in shaded sites in sometimes foggy and windswept, wet, open,

Metrosideros polymorpha

-dominated montane forest with a native shrub and

Cibotium

sp. understory between 590 and 1508 m (1,935 and 4,946 ft) elevation. Associated plant species include

Asplenium

sp.,

Broussaisia arguta, Cheirodendron trigynum, Coprosma ochracea, Cyanea

sp.,

Dicranopteris linearis, Hedyotis hillebrandii, Pipturus albidus, Pouteria sandwicensis, Psychotria

sp.,

Touchardia latifolia, Vaccinium

sp., or

Wikstroemia

sp. (HINHP Database 2000; Service 1996a).

The only known population of

Phyllostegia mannii

is threatened by habitat destruction and degradation by feral pigs. Because there is only one individual currently extant, a natural or human-caused environmental event could extirpate the species (Service 1996a; 57 FR 46325).

Phyllostegia mollis

(NCN)

Phyllostegia mollis

, a short-lived member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grows as a nearly erect, densely hairy, nonaromatic, perennial herb. Leaves are oval in outline with rounded teeth. Flowers, usually in groups of six, are spaced along a stem; there are two shorter flowering stems directly below the main stem. The flowers have fused sepals and white petals fused into a tube and flaring into a smaller upper and a larger lower lip. Fruits are fleshy, dark green to black nutlets. A suite of technical characteristics concerning the kind and amount of hair, the number of flowers in a cluster, and details of the various plant parts separate this species from other members of the genus (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Individual

Phyllostegia mollis

plants live for approximately five years. The species is known to flower in late winter and spring. Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors is generally unknown (Service 1998b).

Historically,

Phyllostegia mollis

was known from Oahu, Molokai, and East Maui. Currently, this species is only known from Oahu and Maui. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1912 from Kamakou Preserve by J. F. Rock (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Phyllostegia mollis

typically grew in mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha

forests between 551 and 1,216 m (1,807 and 3,988 ft) elevation (J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001).

No information on threats that may have affected

Phyllostegia mollis

on Molokai is available.

Plantago princeps

(laukahi kuahiwi)

Plantago princeps,

a short-lived member of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), is a small shrub or robust perennial herb. This species differs from other native members of the genus in Hawaii by its large branched stems, flowers at nearly right angles to the axis of the flower cluster, and fruits that break open at a point two-thirds from the base. The four varieties,

anomala, laxiflora, longibracteata,

and

princeps,

are distinguished by the branching and pubescence of the stems; the size, pubescence, and venation of the leaves; the density of the inflorescence; and the orientation of the flowers (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Little is known about the life history of this plant. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are generally unknown. However, individuals have been observed in fruit from April through September (Service 1999a).

Plantago princeps

is historically and currently known from Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Hawaii, and Maui. It is no longer extant on the island of Hawaii.

Plantago princeps

var.

anomala

is currently known from Kauai and Oahu; var.

longibracteata

is known from Kauai and Oahu; var.

princeps

is known from Oahu; and var.

laxiflora

is known from Molokai and Maui. On Molokai, there is currently one remaining population of

Plantago princeps

var.

laxiflora

with five individuals in Kawela Gulch on privately owned lands (GDSI 2000; HINHP Database 2000; Service 1999a).

On Molokai,

Plantago princeps

var.

laxiflora

is typically found on streambanks in

Metrosideros polymorpha

lowland mesic forest between 592 and 1,213 m (1,942 and 3,979 ft) elevation. Associated plant species include

Coprosma

sp.,

Wikstroemia oahuensis

(akia),

Pipturus albidus, Dodonaea viscosa, Dryopteris unidentata,

or

Cyanea

sp. (J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001; Wagner

et al

. 1999).

The primary threats to

Plantago princeps

var.

laxiflora

on Molokai are predation and habitat degradation by feral pigs and goats and competition with various non-native plant species (59 FR 56333; Service 1999a).

Platanthera holochila

(NCN)

Platanthera holochila

, a short-lived perennial and a member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), is an erect, deciduous herb. The stems arise from underground tubers, the pale green leaves are lance to egg-shaped and the greenish-yellow flowers occur in open spikes. This is the only species of this genus that occurs in the Hawaiian Islands (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Little is known about the life history of this plant. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Platanthera holochila

was known from Maui, Oahu, Molokai, and Kauai. Currently,

Platanthera holochila

is extant on Kauai, Molokai, and Maui. On Molokai, one population with less than 10 individuals is reported from Hanalilolilo on the privately owned land of Kamakou Preserve (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Platanthera holochila

is found on slightly sloping ridgetops in

Metrosideros polymorpha

-

Cheirodendron trigynum

wet forest or

Metrosideros polymorpha

mixed montane bog between 551 and 1,382 m (1,807 and 4,532 ft) elevation. Associated native plants include

Cibotium

sp.,

Oreobolus furcatus

(NCN), or

Styphelia tameiameiae

(J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001).

The primary threats to

Platanthera holochila

on Molokai are habitat degradation and/or destruction by feral pigs; competition with non-native plants; and a risk of extinction from naturally occurring events and/or reduced reproductive vigor, due to the small number of remaining populations and individuals. Predation by slugs may also be a potential threat to this species (61 FR 53108; Service 1999a).

Pteris lidgatei

(NCN)

Pteris lidgatei

, a short-lived member of the maidenhair fern family (Adiantaceae), is a coarse perennial herb, 0.5 to 1 m (1.6 to 3.3 ft) tall. It has a horizontal rhizome 1.5 cm (0.6 in.) thick and at least 10 cm (3.9 in) long when mature. The fronds, including the leaf stalks, are 60 to 95 cm (24 to 37 in) long and 20 to 45 cm (8 to 18 in) wide. The leafy portion of the frond is oblong-deltoid to broadly ovate-deltoid, thick, brittle, and dark gray-green. The sori are apparently marginal in position, either fused into long linear sori, or more typically separated into distinct shorter sori, with intermediate conditions being common.

Pteris lidgatei

can be distinguished from other species of

Pteris

in the Hawaiian Islands by the texture of its fronds and the tendency of the sori along the leaf margins to be broken into short segments instead of being fused into continuous marginal sori (Wagner and Wagner 1992).

Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors is generally unknown (Service 1998a).

Historically,

Pteris lidgatei

was found on Oahu, Molokai, and West Maui. Currently, this species is known from Oahu and Maui. This species was last collected on Molokai in 1912 from the slopes of Olokui by C. N. Forbes (HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Pteris lidgatei

grew on steep stream banks between 78 and 1,266 m (256 and 4,152 ft) elevation in wet forest (HINHP Database 2000).

No information on threats that may have affected

Pteris lidgatei

on Molokai is available.

Schiedea nuttallii

(NCN)

Schiedea nuttallii

, a long-lived perennial member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a generally hairless, erect subshrub. This species is distinguished from others in this endemic Hawaiian genus by its habit, length of the stem internodes, length of

the inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence, smaller leaves, smaller flowers, and smaller seeds (Wagner

et al

. 1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Schiedea nuttallii

. Based on field and greenhouse observations, it is hermaphroditic (flowers contain both sexes). Plants located close to the Makua rim on Oahu have been under observation for 10 years, and they appear to be long-lived.

Schiedea nuttallii

appears to be an outcrossing species. Under greenhouse conditions, plants fail to set seed unless pollinated, suggesting that this species requires insects for pollination. Seedlings of

Schiedea

occurring in mesic or wet sites are apparently consumed by introduced slugs and snails. These have been observed feeding on

S. membranacea

, another mesic forest species occurring on Kauai. In contrast to mesic forest species,

Schiedea

occurring in dry areas produce abundant seedlings following winter rains, presumably because there are fewer alien consumers in drier sites. Fruits and flowers are abundant in the wet season but can be found throughout the year. Little is known about the life history of this plant. Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Weller

et al

. 1990; Service 1999a; Kapua Kawelo, U.S. Dept. of Defense, Army Environmental,

in litt

. 1999).

Historically,

Schiedea nuttallii

was known from scattered locations on southeastern Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Currently, known populations occur on Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. On Molokai one population with 22 individuals of

Schiedea nuttallii

occurs on the privately owned lands of TNCH's Kamakou Preserve (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000; Service 1999a).

On Molokai,

Schiedea nuttallii

typically grows in streamside grottos in wet

Metrosideros polymorpha

-

Cheirodendron trigynum

forest at elevations between 677 and 1,423 m (2,220 and 4,667 ft). Associated plants include

Asplenium lobulatum

(NCN),

Asplenium macraei

(NCN),

Thelypteris sandwicensis

(NCN),

Vandenboschia davallioides

(NCN),

Cyrtandra hawaiiensis

(haiwale), or

Asplenium unilaterale

(NCN) (J. Lau,

in litt

. 2001).

Schiedea nuttallii

on Molokai is seriously threatened by competition with several non-native plants; predation by the black twig borer, slugs, and snails; and a risk of extinction from naturally occurring events (

e.g.

, landslides) and/or reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of individuals (Service 1999a; 61 FR 53108).

Sesbania tomentosa

(ohai)

Sesbania tomentosa,

a short-lived perennial and a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), is typically a sprawling shrub but may also be a small tree. Each compound leaf consists of 18 to 38 oblong to elliptic leaflets, which are usually sparsely to densely covered with silky hairs. The flowers are salmon tinged with yellow, orange-red, scarlet or rarely, pure yellow.

Sesbania tomentosa

is the only endemic Hawaiian species in the genus, differing from the naturalized

Sesbania sesban

(Egyptian rattlepod) by the color of the flowers, the longer petals and calyx, and the number of seeds per pod (Geesink

et al.

1999).

The pollination biology of

Sesbania tomentosa

is being studied by David Hopper, a graduate student in the Department of Zoology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His preliminary findings suggest that, although many insects visit

Sesbania

flowers, the majority of successful pollination is accomplished by native bees of the genus

Hylaeus

and that populations at Kaena Point on Oahu are probably pollinator-limited. Flowering at Kaena Point is highest during the winter-spring rains, and gradually declines throughout the rest of the year. Other aspects of this plant's life history are unknown (Service 1999a).

Currently,

Sesbania tomentosa

occurs on at least six of the eight main Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii) and in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Nihoa and Necker). It is no longer extant on Niihau and Lanai. On Molokai,

Sesbania tomentosa

is known from six populations with an estimated total of 100 to 150 individuals. One of the populations occur from Moomomi to Nenehanaupo and five from Kamiloloa to Makolekau on State- and privately owned lands (Service 1999a; 59 FR 56333; HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Sesbania tomentosa

is found in

Scaevola sericea

coastal dry shrubland on windswept slopes, sea cliffs and weathered basaltic slopes between sea level and 516 m (0 and 1,692 ft) elevation. Associated plant species include

Lipochaeta integrifolia, Jacquemontia sandwicensis, Sida fallax,

or

Dodonaea viscosa

(HINHP Database 2000; Service 1999a).

The primary threats to

Sesbania tomentosa

on Molokai are competition with various non-native plant species, such as

Lantana camara,

and grass species; habitat degradation by feral cattle; lack of adequate pollination; seed predation by rats, mice and, potentially, non-native insects; and destruction by random environmental events (

e.g.

, fire) and by human activities (

e.g.

, use of off-road vehicles) (59 FR 56333; Service 1999a).

Silene lanceolata

(NCN)

Silene lanceolata,

a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is an upright, perennial plant with stems 15 to 50 cm (6 to 20 in) long, which are woody at the base. The narrow leaves are smooth except for a fringe of hairs near the base. Flowers are arranged in open clusters. The flowers are white with deeply-lobed, clawed petals. The capsule opens at the top to release reddish-brown seeds. This species is distinguished from

S. alexandri

, the only other member of the genus found on Molokai, by its smaller flowers and capsules and its stamens, which are shorter than the sepals (Wagner

et al.

1999).

Currently, no life history information is available for this species (Service 1996a).

The historical range of

Silene lanceolata

includes five Hawaiian Islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island.

Silene lanceolata

is presently extant on the islands of Molokai, Oahu, and Hawaii. On Molokai, a single population of approximately 100 individuals was found in 1987 on private land near Puu Kolekole (K. Wood,

in litt.

1999; GDSI 2000; Service 1996a).

On Molokai,

Silene lanceolata

grows on gulch slopes, ridge tops, and cliffs in dry to mesic shrubland between 581 and 1,043 m (1,905 and 3,421 ft) elevation. Associated native plant species include

Metrosideros polymorpha, Bidens menziesii, Schiedea

spp. (NCN),

Carex wahuensis, Diospyros sandwicensis, Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae,

or

Dubautia linearis

(Service 1996a; K. Wood,

in litt.

1999; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

Habitat destruction by feral ungulates (goats and pigs), wildfires, and competition by invading non-native plants are immediate threats to

Silene lanceolata

on Molokai (57 FR 46325; Service 1996a).

Solanum incompletum

(popolo ku mai)

Solanum incompletum,

a short-lived perennial member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), is a woody shrub. Its stems and lower leaf surfaces are covered with prominent reddish prickles or sometimes with yellow fuzzy hairs on young plant parts and lower leaf surfaces. The oval to elliptic leaves have prominent veins on the lower surface and lobed leaf margins. Numerous flowers grow in loose

branching clusters with each flower on a stalk. This species differs from other native members of the genus by being generally prickly and having loosely clustered white flowers, curved anthers about 2 mm (0.08 in.) long, and berries 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in.) in diameter (Symon 1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Solanum incompletum.

Its flowering cycles, pollination vectors, seed dispersal agents, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (59 FR 56333).

Historically,

Solanum incompletum

was known from Lanai, Maui, and the island of Hawaii. According to David Symon (1999), the known distribution of

Solanum incompletum

also extended to the islands of Kauai and Molokai. Currently,

Solanum incompletum

is only known from the island of Hawaii. There are no element occurrence records for this species on Molokai so it is unclear when the last individual was collected (HINHP Database 2000).

Nothing is known of the preferred habitat of, native plant species associated with

Solanum incompletum

, or threats to

Solanum incompletum

on the island of Molokai.

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

(NCN)

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

, a member of the parsley family (Apiaceae), is a slender annual herb with few branches. Its leaves, dissected into narrow, lance-shaped divisions, are oblong to somewhat oval in outline and grow on stalks. Flowers are arranged in a loose, compound-inflorescence arising from the stem, opposite the leaves.

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

is the only member of the genus native to Hawaii. It is distinguished from other native members of the family by being a non-succulent annual with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence (Constance and Affolter 1999).

Little is known about the life history of

Spermolepis hawaiiensis.

Reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

was known from Kauai, Oahu, Lanai and the island of Hawaii. Currently, it is extant on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. On Molokai, there is one known population with approximately 600 individuals on privately owned land in Kamalo (59 FR 56333; HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000; Service 1999a).

On Molokai,

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

is known from ridge crests and gulch slopes in dry to mesic shrublands between 432 and 972 m (1,416 and 3,188 ft) elevation. Associated plant species include

Dodonaea viscosa, Metrosideros polymorpha

, or

Styphelia tameiameiae

(J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

The primary threats to

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

on Molokai are habitat degradation by feral goats; competition with various non-native plants, such as

Melinis minutiflora

,

Lantana camara

, and grasses; and habitat destruction and extinction due to natural environmental events such as erosion, landslides, and rockslides due to natural weathering (59 FR 56333; Service 1999a).

Vigna o-wahuensis

(NCN)

Vigna o-wahuensis

, a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), is a slender twining short-lived perennial herb with fuzzy stems. Each leaf is made up of three leaflets, which vary in shape from round to linear, and are sparsely or moderately covered with coarse hairs. Flowers, in clusters of one to four, have thin, translucent, pale yellow or greenish yellow petals. The two lowermost petals are fused and appear distinctly beaked. The sparsely hairy calyx has asymmetrical lobes. The fruits are long slender pods that may or may not be slightly inflated and contain 7 to 15 gray to black seeds. This species differs from others in the genus by its thin yellowish petals, sparsely hairy calyx, and thin pods, which may or may not be slightly inflated (Geesink

et al.

1999).

Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are generally unknown (Service 1999a).

Historically,

Vigna o-wahuensis

was known from Niihau, Oahu, and Maui. Currently,

Vigna o-wahuensis

is known from the islands of Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. There are no currently known populations on Niihau or Oahu. On Molokai, two populations with approximately 16 individuals occur on privately owned lands at Onini Gulch and Makolelau (GDSI 2000; Service 1999a; HINHP Database 2000).

On Molokai,

Vigna o-wahuensis

occurs in dry to mesic grassland and shrubland between 516 and 1,041 m (1,692 and 3,414 ft) elevation. Associated plant species include

Chenopodium oahuense

,

Cyperus laevigatus

(makaloa),

Eragrostis variabilis

,

Heteropogon contortus

,

Ipomoea

sp. (morning glory),

Scaevola sericea

,

Sida fallax

,

Vitex rotundifolia

(pohinahina),

Dodonaea viscosa

, or

Styphelia tameiameiae

(Geesink

et al.

1999; HINHP Database 2000; Service 1999a).

The primary threats to

Vigna o-wahuensis

on Molokai are competition with various non-native plant species; and a risk of extinction due to random environmental events (primarily fire), and/or reduced reproductive vigor due to the small number of existing populations and individuals (Service 1999a; 59 FR 56333).

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

(ae)

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

, a long-lived perennial, is a medium-size tree with pale to dark gray bark, and lemon-scented leaves in the citrus family (Rutaceae). Alternate leaves are composed of three small triangular-oval to lance-shaped, toothed leaves (leaflets) with surfaces usually without hairs.

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

is distinguished from other Hawaiian members of the genus by several characters: three leaflets all of similar size, one joint on lateral leaf stalk, and sickle-shape fruits with a rounded tip (Stone

et al.

1999).

Additional information on the life history of this plant, reproductive cycles, longevity, specific environmental requirements, and limiting factors are generally unknown (Service 1996b).

Historically,

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

was known from the islands of Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, southern and southwestern slopes of Haleakala on Maui, and Hawaii. Currently,

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

is extant on Kauai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. On Molokai, the two extant populations with a total of five individuals are located at Makolelau and Puu Hoi Ridge on private lands (HINHP Database 2000; GDSI 2000).

On Molokai,

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

is found on gulch slopes in mesic

Metrosideros polymorpha

or

Diospyros sandwicensis

forest between 754 and 1,084 m (2,473 and 3,555 ft) elevation. Associated species include

Dodonaea viscosa

,

Styphelia tameiameiae

,

Pleomele auwahiensis

,

Nestegis sandwicensis

,

Alyxia oliviformis

,

Osteomeles anthyllidifolia

,

Psychotria spp.

, or

Myrsine lanaiensis

(Stone

et al.

1999; 59 FR 10305; HINHP Database 2000; J. Lau,

in litt.

2001).

The threats to

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

on Molokai include browsing, grazing, and trampling by feral goats; competition with non-native plant species; habitat degradation and destruction by humans; and extinction from naturally occurring events (primarily fire) and/or from reduced reproductive vigor due to the small

number of individuals and populations (59 FR 10305; Service 1996b).

A summary of populations and landownership for the 51 plant species reported from the island of Molokai is given in Table 3.

Table 3.—Summary of Existing Populations Occurring on Molokai, and Landownership for 51 Species Reported From Molokai

Species

Number of

current

populations

Landownership

Federal

State

Private

Adenophorus periens

1

X

Alectryon macrococcus

3

X

X

Bidens wiebkei

3

X

Brighamia rockii

4

X

X

Bonamia menzeisii

0

Canavalia molokaiensis

5

X*

X

Centaurium sebaeoides

5

X*

X

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp. brevipes

3

X

Ctenitis squamigera

1

X

Cyanea dunbarii

1

X

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp. grimesiana

2

X

Cyanea mannii

5

X

X

Cyanea procera

2

X

X

Cyperus trachysanthos

0

Diellia erecta

3

X

Diplazium molokaiense

0

Eugenia koolauensis

0

Flueggea neowawraea

0

Hedyotis mannii

1

X

Hesperomannia arborescens

1

X

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

2

X

X

Hibiscus brackenridgei

0

Ischaemum byrone

2

X

Isodendrion pyrifolium

0

Labordia triflora

1

X

Lysimachia maxima

2

X

Mariscus fauriei

1

X

Marsilea villosa

4

X

X

Melicope mucronulata

1

X

Melicope munroi

0

Melicope reflexa

3

X

X

Neraudia sericea

1

X

Peucedanum sandwicense

4

X*

X

Phyllostegia mannii

1

X

Phyllostegia mollis

0

Plantago princeps

1

X

Platanthera holochila

1

X

Pritchardia munroi

1

X

Pteris lidgatei

0

Schiedea lydgatei

4

X

X

Schiedea nuttallii

1

X

Schiedea sarmentosa

2

X

Sesbania tomentosa

6

X

X

Silene alexandri

0

Silene lanceolata

1

X

Solanum incompletum

0

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

1

X

Stenogyne bifida

5

X

Tetramolopium rockii

3

X*

X

Vigna o-wahuensis

2

X

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

2

X

* Some populations are on State land that is managed by the National Park Service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and/or the U.S. Coast Guard Reservation at Kalaupapa.

Previous Federal Action

Federal action on these plants began as a result of Section 12 of the Act which directed the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to prepare a report on plants considered to be endangered, threatened, or extinct in the United States. This report, designated as House Document No. 94-51, was presented to Congress on January 9, 1975. In that document,

Adenophorus periens, Alectryon macrococcus

(as

Alectryon macrococcum

var.

macrococcum

and

Alectryon mahoe

),

Bidens wiebkei, Brighamia rockii, Canavalia molokaiensis, Hedyotis mannii

(as

Hedyotis thyrsoidea

var.

thyrsoidea), Hesperomannia arborescens

(as

Hesperomannia arborescens

var.

bushiana

and var.

swezeyi

),

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

(as

Hibiscus immaculatus

),

Ischaemum byrone, Marsilea villosa, Melicope reflexa

(as

Pelea reflexa), Neraudia sericea

(as

Neraudia kahoolawensis

),

Peucedanum

sandwicense

(as

Peucedanum kauaiense

),

Plantago princeps

(as

Plantago princeps

var.

elata,

var.

laxifolia,

var.

princeps

),

Sesbania tomentosa

(as

Sesbania hobdyi

and

Sesbania tomentosa

var.

tomentosa

),

Silene alexandri, Silene lanceolata, Vigna o-wahuensis

(as

Vigna sandwicensis

var.

heterophylla

and var.

sandwicensis

), and

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

(as

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

var.

citiodora

) were considered endangered;

Diellia erecta

and

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

(as

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

var.

hawaiiense

and var.

velutinosum

) were considered threatened; and,

Labordia triflora, Melicope mucronulata

(as

Pelea mucronulata

),

Plantago princeps

(as

Plantago princeps

var.

acaulis,

var.

denticulata,

and var.

queleniana

), and

Tetramolopium rockii

were considered to be extinct. On July 1, 1975, the Service published a notice in the

Federal Register

(40 FR 27823) of our acceptance of the Smithsonian report as a petition within the context of Section 4(c)(2) (now Section 4(b)(3)) of the Act, and gave notice of our intention to review the status of the plant taxa named therein. As a result of that review, on June 16, 1976, we published a proposed rule in the

Federal Register

(41 FR 24523) to determine endangered status pursuant to Section 4 of the Act for approximately 1,700 vascular plant taxa, including all of the above taxa except

Labordia triflora

and

Melicope munroi.

The list of 1,700 plant taxa was assembled on the basis of comments and data received by the Smithsonian Institution and the Service in response to House Document No. 94-51 and the July 1, 1975,

Federal Register

publication.

Comments received in response to the 1976 proposal are summarized in an April 26, 1978,

Federal Register

publication (43 FR 17909). In 1978, amendments to the Act required that all proposals over 2 years old be withdrawn. A 1-year grace period was given to proposals already over 2 years old. On December 10, 1979, we published a notice in the

Federal Register

(44 FR 70796) withdrawing the portion of the June 16, 1976, proposal that had not been made final, along with four other proposals that had expired. We published updated notices of review for plants on December 15, 1980 (45 FR 82479), September 27, 1985 (50 FR 39525), February 21, 1990 (55 FR 6183), September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51144), and February 28, 1996 (61 FR 7596). A summary of the status categories for these 51 plant species in the 1980-1996 notices of review can be found in Table 4(a). We listed the 51 species as endangered or threatened between 1991 and 1999. A summary of the listing actions can be found in Table 4(b).

Table 4(a).—Summary of Candidacy Status for 51 Plant Species From Molokai

Species

Federal Register

Notice of Review

1980

1985

1990

1993

1996

Adenophorus periens

C1

C1

C1

Alectryon macrococcus

C1

C1

C1

Bidens wiebkei

C1

C1

C1

Bonamia menziesii

C1

C1

C1

Brighamia rockii

C1

C1

C1

Canavalia molokaiensis

C1

C1

C1

Centaurium sebaeoides

C1

Clermontia oblongifolia

ssp.

brevipes

C1

Ctenitis squamigera

C1

C1

C1

Cyanea dunbarii

Cyanea grimesiana

ssp.

grimesiana

C1

C1

C2

Cyanea mannii

C1

Cyanea procera

C1*

Cyperus trachysanthos

C2

Diellia erecta

C1

C1

C1

Diplazium molokaiense

C1*

C1*

C1

Eugenia koolaeuensis

C1

C1

C1*

C2*

Flueggea neowawraea

C1

C1

C1

Hedyotis mannii

C1*

C1*

C1

Hesperomannia arborescens

C1

C1

C1

Hibiscus arnottianus

ssp.

immaculatus

C1

C1

C1

Hibiscus brackenridgei

C1

C1

C1

Ischaemum byrone

C1

C1

C1

Isodendrion pyrifolium

C1

C1

C1

3C

Labordia triflora

C2

C2

C

Lysmachia maxima

C2

C2

Mariscus fauriei

C1

Marsilea villosa

C1

C1

C1

Melicope mucronulata

C1

C1

C1

Melicope munroi

C1*

C1*

C2

C2

Melicope reflexa

C1

C1

C1

Neraudia sericea

3A

3A

C1

Peucedanum sandwicense

C2

C2

C2

Phyllostegia mannii

C1

Phyllostegia mollis

Plantago princeps

C2

C2

C1

Platanthera holochila

C1

C1

C1

C2

Pritchardia munroi

C1

C1

C1

Pteris lidgatei

3C

3C

Schiedea lydgatei

C1

C1

Schiedea nuttallii

C2

Schiedea sarmentosa

C2

C2

Sesbania tomentosa

C1*

C1*

C1

Silene alexandri

C1

C1

C1

Silene lanceolata

C1

C1

C1

Solanum incompletum

C1*

C1*

C1

Spermolepis hawaiiensis

C1

Stenogyne bifida

C1

Tetramolopium rockii

C1

C1

C1

Vigna o-wahuensis

C1

C1

C1

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

C1

C1

C1

Key:

C1: Taxa for which the Service has on file enough sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support proposals to list them as endangered or threatened species.

C1

*

: Taxa of known vulnerable status in the recent past that may already have become extinct.

C2: Taxa for which there is some evidence of vulnerability, but for which there are not enough data to support listing proposals at this time.

C2

*

: Taxa for which there is some evidence of vulnerability, but for which there are not enough data to support listing proposals at this time. Taxa's continued existence in doubt, i.e. may be extinct.

3A: Taxa for which the Service has persuasive evidence of extinction. If rediscovered, such taxa might acquire high priority for listing.

3C: Taxa that have proven to be more abundant or widespread than perviously believed and/or those that are not subject to any identifiable threat.

Federal Register

Notices of Review:

1980: 45 FR 82479

1985: 50 FR 39525

1990: 55 FR 6183

1993: 58 FR 51144

1996: 61 FR 7596

Table 4(b).—Summary of Listing Actions for 51 Plant Species From Molokai

Species

Federal status

Proposed rule

Date

Federal

Register

Final rule

Date

Federal

Register

Proposed critical habitat

Date

Federal

Register

Adenophorus periens

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 9806.

Alectryon macrococcus

E

05/24/91

56 FR 23842

05/15/92

57 FR 20772

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Bidens wiebkei

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Bonamia menzeisii

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/27/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Brighamia rockii

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Canavalia molokaiensis

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Centaurium sebaeoides

E

09/28/90

55 FR 39664

10/29/91

56 FR 55770

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Clermontia oblongifolia ssp. brevipes

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Ctenitis squamigera

E

06/24/93

58 FR 34231

09/09/94

59 FR 49025

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

67 FR 9806.

Cyanea dunbarii

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51436

10/10/96

61 FR 53130

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51417

10/10/96

61 FR 53108

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Cyanea mannii

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Cyanea procera

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Cyperus trachysanthos

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51417

10/10/96

61 FR 53108

11/07/00

01/28/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

67 FR 3940.

67 FR 9806.

Diellia erecta

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Diplazium molokaiense

E

12/14/92

57 FR 39066

06/27/94

59 FR 32932

12/18/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Eugenia koolauensis

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51398

10/10/96

61 FR 53089

Flueggea neowawraea

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/18/01

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Hedyotis mannii

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Hesperomannia arborescens

E

10/14/92

57 FR 47028

03/28/94

59 FR 14482

12/18/00

12/29/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Hibiscus brackenridgei

E

09/28/90

55 FR 39664

10/29/91

56 FR 55770

12/18/00

12/27/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Isodendrion pyrifolium

T

10/02/95

60 FR 51417

10/10/96

61 FR 53108

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Ischaemum byrone

E

12/17/92

57 FR 59951

03/04/94

59 FR 10305

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Labordia triflora

E

05/15/97

62 FR 26757

09/03/99

64 FR 48307

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Lysmachia maxima

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51436

10/10/96

61 FR 53130

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Mariscus fauriei

E

12/17/92

57 FR 59951

03/04/94

59 FR 10305

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Marsilea villosa

E

02/15/91

56 FR 6349

06/22/92

57 FR 27863

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Melicope mucronulata

E

05/24/91

56 FR 23842

05/15/92

57 FR 20772

12/18/00

12/29/00

04/03/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

Melicope munroi

E

05/15/97

62 FR 26757

09/03/99

64 FR 48307

12/27/00

03/04/02

65 FR 82086.

67 FR 9806.

Melicope reflexa

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Neraudia sericea

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

12/18/00

12/29/00

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Peucedanum sandwicense

T

10/30/91

56 FR 55862

02/25/94

59 FR 9304

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Phyllostegia mannii

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

04/03/02

[To be published].

Phyllostegia mollis

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51398

10/10/96

61 FR 53089

12/18/00

04/03/02

65 FR 79192.

[To be published].

Plantago princeps

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Platanthera holochila

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51417

10/10/96

61 FR 53108

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Pritchardia munroi

E

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

Pteris lidgatei

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51398

10/10/96

61 FR 53089

12/18/00

04/03/02

65 FR 79192.

[To be published].

Schiedea lydgatei

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Schiedea nuttallii

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51417

10/10/96

61 FR 53108

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Schiedea sarmentosa

E

10/02/95

60 FR 51436

10/10/96

61 FR 53130

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Sesbania tomentosa

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Silene alexandri

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Silene lanceolata

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

01/28/02

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

Solanum incompletum

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

01/28/02

67 FR 3940.

Spermolepis Hawaiiensis

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Stenogyne bifida

E

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Tetramolopium rockii

T

09/20/91

56 FR 47718

10/08/92

57 FR 46325

12/29/00

65 FR 83158.

Vigna o-wahuensis

E

09/14/93

58 FR 48012

11/10/94

59 FR 56333

12/18/00

12/27/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

03/04/02

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 82086.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

67 FR 9806.

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

E

12/17/92

57 FR 59951

03/04/94

59 FR 10305

11/07/00

12/18/00

12/29/00

01/28/02

04/03/02

65 FR 66808.

65 FR 79192.

65 FR 83158.

67 FR 3940.

[To be published].

Key: E=Endangered T=Threatened.

Critical Habitat

Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing regulations (50 CFR 424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, the Secretary designate critical habitat at the time the species is determined to be endangered or threatened. Our regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)) state that designation of critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of the following situations exist: (1) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity, and identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the degree of threat to the species, or (2) such designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to the species. At the time each plant was listed, we determined that designation of critical habitat was prudent for two of these plants (

Labordia triflora

and

Melicope munroi

) and not prudent for the other 49 plants because it would not benefit the plant and/or would increase the degree of threat to the species.

The not prudent determinations for the 49 species, along with others, were challenged in

Conservation Council for Hawaii

v.

Babbitt,

2 F. Supp. 2d 1280 (D. Haw. 1998). On March 9, 1998, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, directed us to review the prudency determinations for 245 listed plant species in Hawaii, including 49 of the 51 species reported from Molokai. Among other things, the court held that, in most cases we did not sufficiently demonstrate that the species are threatened by human activity or that such threats would increase with the designation of critical habitat. The court also held that we failed to balance any risks of designating critical habitat against any benefits (

id.

at 1283-85).

Regarding our determination that designating critical habitat would have no additional benefits to the species above and beyond those already provided through the section 7

consultation requirement of the Act, the court ruled that we failed to consider the specific effect of the consultation requirement on each species (

id.

at 1286-88). In addition, the court stated that we did not consider benefits outside of the consultation requirements. In the court's view, these potential benefits include substantive and procedural protections. The court held that, substantively, designation establishes a “uniform protection plan” prior to consultation and indicates where compliance with section 7 of the Act is required. Procedurally, the court stated that the designation of critical habitat educates the public, State, and local governments and affords them an opportunity to participate in the designation (

id.

at 1288). The court also stated that private lands may not be excluded from critical habitat designation even though section 7 requirements apply only to Federal agencies. In addition to the potential benefit of informing the public, State, and local governments of the listing and of the areas that are essential to the species' conservation, the court found that there may be Federal activity on private property in the future, even though no such activity may be occurring there at the present (

id.

at 1285-88).

On August 10, 1998, the court ordered us to publish proposed critical habitat designations or non-designations for at least 100 species by November 30, 2000, and to publish proposed designations or non-designations for the remaining 145 species by April 30, 2002 (24 F. Supp. 2d 1074).

At the time we listed

Labordia triflora

and

Melicope munroi

(64 FR 48307) we determined that designation of critical habitat was prudent and that we would develop critical habitat designations for these two taxa, along with eight others, at the same time we developed designations for the 245 Hawaiian plant species. This timetable was challenged in

Conservation Council for Hawaii

v.

Babbitt,

Civ. No. 99-00283 HG (D. Haw. Aug. 19, 1999, Feb. 16, 2000, and March 28, 2000). The court agreed, however, that it was reasonable for us to integrate these ten Maui Nui (Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe) plant taxa into the schedule established for designating critical habitat for the other 245 Hawaiian plants, and ordered us to publish proposed critical habitat designations for the ten Maui Nui species by November 30, 2000, and to publish final critical habitat designations by November 30, 2001.

On November 30, 1998, we published a notice in the

Federal Register

requesting public comments on our reevaluation of whether designation of critical habitat is prudent for the 245 Hawaiian plants at issue (63 FR 65805). The comment period closed on March 1, 1999, and was reopened from March 24, 1999, to May 24, 1999 (64 FR 14209). We received more than 100 responses from individuals, non-profit organizations, the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), county governments, and Federal agencies (U.S. Department of Defense-Army, Navy, Air Force). Only a few responses offered information on the status of individual plant species or on current management actions for one or more of the 245 Hawaiian plants. While some of the respondents expressed support for the designation of critical habitat for 245 Hawaiian plants, more than 80 percent opposed the designation of critical habitat for these plants. In general, these respondents opposed designation because they believed it will cause economic hardship, discourage cooperative projects, polarize relationships with hunters, or potentially increase trespass or vandalism on private lands. In addition, commenters also cited a lack of information on the biological and ecological needs of these plants which, they suggested, may lead to designation based on guesswork. The respondents who supported the designation of critical habitat cited that designation would provide a uniform protection plan for the Hawaiian Islands; promote funding for management of these plants; educate the public and State government; and protect partnerships with landowners and build trust.

On February 18, 2000, we mailed letters to more than 100 landowners on the island of Molokai requesting any information considered germane to the management of any of the 51 plants on his/her property, and containing a copy of the November 30, 1998,

Federal Register

notice, a map showing the general locations of the plants that may be on his/her property, and a handout containing general information on critical habitat. We received 25 written responses to our landowner mailing with varying types of information on their current land management activities. These responses included information on the following: fencing, weeding, ungulate control, hunting, control of human access, scientific research, fire control, and propagation and/or planting of native plants. We held one open house on the island of Molokai, at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center, on March 15, 2000, to meet one-on-one with local landowners and other interested members of the public. A total of 14 people attended the open house. In addition we met with Maui County Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff and discussed their management activities on the island.

On December 29, 2000, we published the fourth of the court-ordered prudency determinations for 19 species and proposed critical habitat designations or non-designations for 32 Molokai plants (65 FR 83158). The prudency determinations and proposed critical habitat designations for Kauai and Niihau plants were published on November 7, 2000 (65 FR 66808), for Maui and Kahoolawe plants on December 18, 2000 (65 FR 82086), and for Lanai plants on December 27, 2000 (65 FR 82086). All of these proposed rules had been sent to the

Federal Register

by or on November 30, 2000, as required by the court orders. In those proposals we determined that critical habitat was prudent for 47 species (

Adenophorus periens, Alectryon macrococcus, Bidens wiebkei, Brighamia rockii, Canavalia molokaiensis, Centaurium sebaeoides, Clermontia oblongifolia ssp. brevipes, Ctenitis squamigera, Cyanea dunbarii, Cyanea grimesiana ssp. grimesiana, Cyanea mannii, Cyanea procera, Diellia erecta, Diplazium molokaiense, Flueggea neowawraea, Hedyotis mannii, Hesperomannia arborescens, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus, Hibiscus brackenridgei, Ischaemum byrone, Labordia triflora, Lysimachia maxima, Mariscus fauriei, Marsilea villosa, Melicope mucronulata, Melicope reflexa, Neraudia sericea, Peucedanum sandwicense, Phyllostegia mannii, Phyllostegia mollis, Plantago princeps, Platanthera holochila, Schiedea lydgatei, Schiedea nuttallii, Schiedea sarmentosa, Sesbania tomentosa, Silene alexandri, Silene lanceolata, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Stenogyne bifida, Tetramolopium rockii, Vigna o-wahuensis,

and

Zanthoxylum hawaiiense

) that are reported from Molokai as well as Kauai, Niihau, Maui, Kahoolawe, and Lanai.

In the December 29, 2000, proposal we determined that it was prudent to designate approximately 6,165 ha (15,230 ac) on Molokai as critical habitat. The publication of the proposed rule opened a 60-day public comment period, which closed on February 27, 2001. On February 22, 2001, we published a notice (66 FR 11132) announcing the reopening of the comment period until April 2, 2001, on the proposal to designate critical habitat for plants from Molokai and a notice of a public hearing. On March 21, 2001, we

held a public hearing at the Mitchell Pauole Center Hall, Molokai.

On October 3, 2001, we submitted a joint stipulation with Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund requesting extension of the court order for the final rules to designate critical habitat for plants from Kauai and Niihau (July 30, 2002), Maui and Kahoolawe (August 23, 2002), Lanai (September 16, 2002), and Molokai (October 16, 2002), citing the need to revise the proposals to incorporate or address new information and comments received during the comment periods. The joint stipulation was approved and ordered by the court on October 5, 2001. On January 28, 2002 (67 FR 3940) (Kauai revised proposal), we determined that designation of critical habitat was prudent for

Isodendrion pyrifolium

and

Solanum incompletum,

two species reported from Molokai as well as Kauai, Maui, and Lanai. The designation of critical habitat is proposed for

Isodendrion pyrifolium

on Molokai. On March 4, 2002 (67 FR 9806) and XX Maui revised proposal, we published revised proposals for plants from Lanai, and Maui and Kahoolawe, and Lanai, respectively. Publication of this revised proposal for plants from Molokai is consistent with the court-ordered stipulation.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

In the December 29, 2000, proposed rule (65 FR 83158), we requested all interested parties to submit comments on the specifics of the proposal, including information, policy, and proposed critical habitat boundaries as provided in the proposed rule. The first comment period closed on February 27, 2001. We reopened the comment period from February 22, 2001 to April 2, 2001 (66 FR 11132), to accept comments on the proposed designations and to hold a public hearing on March 21, 2001, in Kaunakakai Molokai.

We contacted all appropriate State and Federal agencies, county governments, elected officials, and other interested parties and invited them to comment. In addition, we invited public comment through the publication of notices in the following newspapers: the

Honolulu Advertiser, The Dispatch,

and the

Molokai Advertiser-News

on March 1, 2001. We received one request for a public hearing. We announced the date and time of the public hearing in letters mailed to all interested parties, appropriate State and Federal agencies, county governments, and elected officials, and in notices published in the

Honolulu Advertiser, The Dispatch,

and the

Molokai Advertiser-News

on March 1, 2001. A transcript of the hearing held in Kaunakakai, Molokai on March 21, 2001, is available for inspection (see

ADDRESSES

section).

We requested three botanists who have familiarity with Molokai plants to peer review the proposed critical habitat designations. One reviewer submitted comments on the proposed critical habitat designations, providing updated biological information, critical review, and editorial comments.

We received a total of three oral and five written comments during the two comment periods. These included responses from three State offices and five private organizations or individuals. We reviewed all comments received for substantive issues and new information regarding critical habitat and the Molokai plants. Of the eight comments we received, five supported designation, two were opposed, and one provided information but declined to oppose or support the designation. Similar comments were grouped into six general issues relating specifically to the proposed critical habitat determinations. These are addressed in the following summary.

Issue 1: Biological Justification and Methodology

(1)

Comment:

The designation of critical habitat in unoccupied habitat is particularly important, since this may be the only mechanism available to ensure that Federal actions do not eliminate the habitat needed for the survival and recovery of extremely endangered species.

Our Response:

We agree. Our recovery plans for these species (Service 1995a, 1995b, 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, 1997, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999, 2001) identify the need to expand existing populations and reestablish wild populations within their historical range. We have revised the December 29, 2000, proposal to designate critical habitat for 32 Molokai plant species to incorporate new information and address comments and new information received during the comment periods, including information on areas of potentially suitable unoccupied habitat for some of these species from Molokai.

(2)

Comment:

The proposal provides very limited information on the criteria and data used to determine the areas proposed as critical habitat. For example, some of the data used by the Service was 30 years or older.

Our Response:

When developing the December 29, 2000, proposal to designate critical habitat for 32 plants from Molokai, we used the best scientific and commercial data available at the time, including but not limited to, information from the known locations, site-specific species information from the HINHP database and our own rare plant database; species information from the Center for Plant Conservation's (CPC) rare plant monitoring database housed at the University of Hawaii's Lyon Arboretum; the final listing rules for these species; information received at the informational open house held on Molokai at the Mitchell Pauole Center Hall on March 15, 2000; recent biological surveys and reports; our recovery plans for these species; information received in response to outreach materials and requests for species and management information we sent to all landowners, land managers, and interested parties on the island of Molokai; discussions with botanical experts; and recommendations from the Hawaii Pacific Plant Recovery Coordinating Committee (HPPRCC) (Service 1995a, 1995b, 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, 1997, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999, 2001; HPPRCC 1998; HINHP Database 2000; CPC

in litt.

1999).

We have revised the proposed designations to incorporate new information, and address comments and new information received during the comment periods. This additional information comes from the Geographic Information System (GIS) coverages (

e.g.

vegetation, soils, annual rainfall, elevation contours, land ownership); completed recovery plans, and information received during the public comment periods and public hearing (R. Hobdy, in litt. 2001; Service 1995a, 1995b, 1996a, 1996b, 1996c, 1997, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999, 2001).

(3a)

Comment:

The proposed critical habitat designations were not specific enough, and were over broad by including unsuitable habitat in degraded areas and therefore, failed to comply with Congressional intent to restrict critical habitat to those areas “essential to the conservation of the species.” (3b) The designation was not inclusive enough and failed to include areas that Molokai plants have used and are necessary for recovery of the species.

Our Response:

The presence of non-native plants does not preclude designation of an area as critical habitat, if the area contains the physical and biological features that are essential to the conservation of the species and that may require special management considerations or protection. We used the best scientific information available to develop the December 29, 2000, proposal to designate critical habitat for 32 Molokai plants. This information is detailed above in our response to Comment (2).

We have revised the proposed designations published in the December

29, 2000, proposal for Molokai plants to incorporate new information, and address comments and new information received during the comment periods. We used the best available information, including expert scientific opinion, to identify the physical and biological features (type of plant community, associated species, and locale information such as rocky cliffs, talus slopes, stream banks) essential to the conservation of each species, and to identify potentially suitable habitat within the known historic range of each species. Of the area identified as potentially suitable habitat for a species, only those areas within the least disturbed suitable habitat were proposed as critical habitat for the species.

We invite comments from the public that provide information on potentially suitable habitat within the known historic range of each species and whether lands within the proposed critical habitat provide for the conservation of one or more of the species.

(4)

Comment:

The Service avoided a statutory obligation to determine whether the benefits of excluding particular areas (

e.g.,

areas with conservation agreements, licenses with Department of Hawaiian Homelands, protection plans, etc.) from critical habitat designation outweigh the benefits of including each area.

Our Response:

Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that we consider the economic and other impacts of critical habitat designation and allows us to areas when the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation, provided the exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species. We base our decision to exclude an area from critical habitat designation on the best scientific data available, taking into consideration the economic and other impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. We will complete an economic analysis on this proposed rule, and consider the results of this analysis and comments received on the analysis and the new proposed rule. We will use that economic analysis as well as all other information about potential impacts of the designation in determining whether exclusions under section 4(b)(2) are appropriate (see 50 CFR 424.19).

We will provide technical assistance and work closely with applicants throughout the development of any future Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) or other conservation plans to identify lands essential for the long-term conservation of the Molokai plants and appropriate management for those lands. If an HCP or other conservation management plan is approved by us, we will reassess the critical habitat boundaries in light of the conservation plan. We will seek to undertake this review when an HCP or conservation management plan is approved, but funding constraints may influence the timing of such a review.

Issue 2: Site-Specific Biological Comments

(5)

Comment:

Critical habitat should be designated for

Pritchardia munroi

or loulu palm species if the u

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