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Hawai'i cyrtandra
Scientific Name: Cyrtandra hawaiensis
Family: Gesneriaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
About Cyrtandra
Cyrtandra is a large genus of flowering plants, boasting approximately 600 species and continually growing as new ones are discovered. It holds the distinction of being the largest genus within the Gesneriaceae family.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cyrtandra J.R. Forster & G. Forster
- Family: Gesneriaceae (African Violet Family)
Several species and synonyms are mentioned within the genus Cyrtandra, including:
- Cyrtandra hawaiensis C.B. Clarke (Hawai'i Cyrtandra)
- Cyrtandra lessoniana Gaudichaud (Hawaiian name: ha`iwale)
- Cyrtandra paludosa var. paludosa (Hahala)
- Cyrtandra brevicornuta H. St. John (Synonym)
- Cyrtandra calycoschiza (H. St. John & Storey) H. St. John (Synonym)
- Cyrtandra degenerans var. calycoschiza H. St. John & Storey (Synonym)
- Cyrtandra waiolani
- Cyrtandra halawensis
- Cyrtandra platyphylla (Ilihia)
- Cyrtandra rivularis (St. John & Storey)
- Cyrtandra garnotiana Gaudichaud (Hawaiian name: ha`iwale)
- Cyrtandra nanawaleensis St. John
- Cyrtandra wagneri Lorence & Perlman
- Cyrtandra oenobarba
- Cyrtandra menziesii (Hawaiian name: ha`i wale)
- Cyrtandra hashimotoi
Distribution and Habitat
- Primarily found in the Pacific region, particularly in archipelagos like Hawai'i, Samoa, and Fiji.
- In Hawai'i, numerous endemic species exist, with several found in specific regions such as Kipahulu, Ola'a Forest Reserve, and the Wai'anae Mountains.
- Specific locations mentioned include:
- Hawai'i Island
- O'ahu
- Maui
- Kaua'i
- Moloka'i
- Kaluanui Valley
- Waikane Valley / Ko'olau Mountains
- Kulani Forest
- Ka`ala summit plateau
- Typically found in wet forests, diverse mesic forests, and occasionally mesic valleys at elevations ranging from 240 to 1280 meters.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Habit: A shrub (for at least Cyrtandra garnotiana and Cyrtandra menziesii).
- Cyrtandra lessoniana is noted for having distinctive rugose (wrinkled) leaves.
Ecological Role
- The genus Cyrtandra is morphologically variable in Hawai`i
- This Cyrtandra species are being studied to assess the importance of geographic isolation.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cyrtandra platyphylla is associated with the insect Nesosydne acuta.
Resources and Further Information
- National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, Hawai'i
- University of Hawai'i at Hilo
- Biodiversitylibrary.org
- International Plant Names Index
- Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera