Ischaemum byrone

Ischaemum byrone is a rare species of grass known by the common name Hilo murainagrass or Hilo ischaemum. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is present on Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii. It was known from Oahu but it is now extirpated there.[1] There are perhaps 1000 to 3000 individual plants remaining in total.[1] This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Ischaemum byrone
In Haleakalā National Park, Maui

Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Ischaemum
Species:
I. byrone
Binomial name
Ischaemum byrone

This grass is perennial, spreading via stolons, with stems reaching up to 80 centimetres (31 in) in maximum height.[1] It usually grows at the coastline, often in cracks in the lava cliffs.[2]

On the island of Hawaii there are at least four populations and perhaps more scattered occurrences. At least one large occurrence has been recently destroyed by a lava flow at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.[3] There are at least five occurrences on Kauai and six on Maui with up to several thousand plants existing.[3] On Molokai, a 1994 count estimated about 1000 individuals.[3]

Threats to this species include volcanism, development, trampling, non-native plants, fire, and off-road vehicles.[1]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ischaemum byrone.
I. byrone flowering

References
  1. I. byrone. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. I. byrone. Colorado State.
  3. USFWS. I. byrone Five-year Review. August 2010.


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