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delissea

Scientific Name: Delissea

Family: Campanulaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Delissea Species: An Overview

The genus Delissea comprises several fascinating, though often rare and endangered, flowering plants endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Belonging to the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), these plants offer a glimpse into the unique biodiversity of this island ecosystem.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Genus: Delissea Gaudich.
  • Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower family)
  • Order: Asterales
  • Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)

Several species within the Delissea genus are mentioned, including:

  • Delissea kauaiensis (Lammers) Lammers (syn: Delissea rhytidosperma)
  • Delissea subcordata Gaud.
  • Delissea fallax Hillebr.
  • Delissea undulata subsp. undulata
  • Delissea lanaiensis (Rock) Lammers

Common Names

  • Delissea kauaiensis: Kauai delissea, Kauai leechleaf delissea, Leechleaf delissea
  • Delissea subcordata: Ko?olau Range delissea, ?Oha
  • Delissea rhytidosperma: Kauai Delissea, ?Oha

Distribution and Habitat

  • Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
  • Specifically found on the islands of Kauai, Hawai'i (Hamakua and Hilo Districts), and potentially Maui.
  • Delissea rhytidosperma is found between 260 and 915 m elevation on Kauai.
  • Historically found in lowland forest habitats.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Delissea rhytidosperma is a shrub that grows from 0.5-2.5 m tall.
  • Leaves are alternately arranged.

Conservation Status

  • Many Delissea species are rare and endangered.
  • Delissea fallax is considered extinct.
  • Delissea rhytidosperma and Delissea undulata subsp. undulata are Federally Listed as Endangered in the United States.

Genetic Information

  • Genetic sequences, such as the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer regions, are available for some species, including Delissea undulata.

Additional Resources

  • Systematic Botany Monographs: Revision of Delissea by Thomas G. Lammers
  • BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Delissea%20subcordata
  • ITIS Web Link
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
  • Catalogue of Life checklist
  • Discover Life
  • Plants of Hawaii (images by Forest and Kim Starr)