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Maui chaff flower
Scientific Name: Achyranthes splendens var. splendens
Family: Amaranthaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Achyranthes splendens
Achyranthes splendens, commonly known as Maui chaff flower, is a species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Common Names
- Maui chaff flower
- Round chaff flower
- Round-leaf chaff flower
- Round-leaved chaff flower
- ʻEwa hinahina (Hawaiian)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Achyranthes splendens Mart. ex Moq.
- Family: Amaranthaceae (pigweed family)
- Genus: Achyranthes L. (chaff flower)
- Synonyms:
- Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata Hillebr.
- Achyranthes splendens var. reflecta Hillebr.
- Varieties:
- Achyranthes splendens var. splendens
Distribution and Habitat
- Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, specifically O'ahu, Molokai, Maui, and Lana'i.
- Most common on West Maui.
- Grows at low elevations in exposed dry areas on rocky soil.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Growth Habit: Shrub
- Duration: Perennial (lives for more than two years)
- Aerial parts of the plant may dry during the coldest periods of the year, with new growth in the spring.
Ecological Role
- The plant is referenced in the context of another invasive plant species. The text mentions "Firetree invading Maui." and "Storm-petrels killed by Japanese chaff flower."
Further Information
- Encyclopedia of Life: Provides distributions and articles.
- Discover Life: Offers information about biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution.
- USDA/NRCS Hoolehua Plant Materials Center: Contributed a Plant Fact Sheet.
- Plants of Hawaii: Offers images and information.
- National Plant Database 2010
- Hawaiian
- Flowers of India