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Wikstroemia oahuensis

(A.Gray) Rock (1913)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Thymelaeaceae Genus: Wikstroemia

‘ākia [akia], kauhi

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Low, sometimes twiggy, often sparsely branched shrubs or small trees up to 4(–6) m tall.

Stems: Main stem sometimes short, branches slender to robust, ± erect, glabrous or with scattered hairs, usually becoming glabrate, or pubescent, bark sometimes with whitish lenticels close to the prominent leaf scars.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades narrowly to broadly elliptic, ovate–elliptic, or rarely slightly obovate; (1–)2.5–8(–20) cm long, (0.5–)1.5–3(–6.5) cm wide. Apex acute or rounded, apex sometimes acuminate or slightly apiculate. Base acute or rounded, base rarely subcordate. Lower surfaces with often conspicuous lateral veins, glabrous or pilose, especially along the midrib, sometimes hirsute; pale to dark green on upper surface, occasionally tinged lilac crimson, sometimes glaucous; lower surfaces brighter, sometimes somewhat transparent, thin to firm chartaceous or coriaceous. Margins entire. Pinnately veined. Petioles (2–)4–9(–13) mm long, thin or stout, glabrous or pilose. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in peduncles 2–15(–25) mm long, glabrous or pilose, sometimes recurved, rachis subglobose, conical, or filiform, rarely forked, 0.4–5 mm long, sometimes up to 12 mm long and then pendulous, glabrous or puberulent, pedicels 0.5–7 mm long, glabrous or with scattered hairs. Flowers bisexual (perfect) or unisexual and sometimes appearing bisexual (perfect), green to yellow, glabrous or hirsute. Calyx tube of staminate and perfect flowers (4–)5–9(–13) mm long, outer lobes 1.3–6 mm long, 1–4 mm wide, inner lobes 1.2–5 mm long, 1–3.6 mm wide; Calyx tube of pistillate flowers 3–10 mm long, outer lobes 1–9 mm long, 1–3.8 mm wide, inner lobes 1–5 mm long, 1–3.8 mm wide. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 8, the lower whorl included, the upper whorl sometimes shortly exserted. Ovary superior, 1-celled; ovules solitary and pendulous.

Fruit: Fruit orange to red; ellipsoid; 6–18 mm long; 4–10 mm in diameter. Seeds without endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 18*

Habitat: Common in hala forest; mesic to wet forest; diverse mesic forest; bogs; and on ridges and rocky ledges.

Elevation Range: (5–)100–1,400 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Kaua'i Endemic
O'ahu Endemic
Molokai Endemic
Lana'i Endemic
Maui Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Indig. Trees Haw. Isl.: 316 (1913)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Wikstroemia oahuensis Puu Alii NAR, W of Ohialele 90% canopy cover, 8 m Metrosideros at 75%, 6 m Cheirodendron at 15%; rich in bryophytes with Broussaisia, Cibotium menziesii, Sadleria pallida, Diplazium sandwichianum, Athyrium microphyllum, Melicope clusiifolia Preserved_Specimen 2 m tree; trunk dark red brown; leaves army green, corolla yellow green Wood, K.R. 11371 Molokai BISH 2005-05-25
2 Wikstroemia oahuensis Koloa District Wahiawa drainage, northeast of Hulua, south of Waimea-Koloa district boundary, Lihue -Koloa Forest reserve, north of Kanaele swamp Metrosideros polymorpha - Dicranopteris linearis wet forest Antidesma platyphylla, Ilex anomala, Tetraplasandra waialeale, Scaevola gaudichaudiana, Bobea brevipes, Psychotria mariniana, Cyanea kahiliensis\\\\nweeds: Psidium cattleianum Preserved_Specimen shrub 2m ht with red fruit Perlman, S. 23488 Kauai BISH 2013-05-30
3 Wikstroemia oahuensis West Maui, Iao Valley, S tributary of Iao stream headwaters Scattered plants on mid-slope of small drainage. Invaded mesic forest: Metrosideros polymorpha, Antidesma, Xylosma, Freycinetia arborea, Dicranopteris linearis, Coprosma, Dodonaea, Hydrangea, Cheirodendron, Chaetogastra herbacea, Selaginella arbuscula, Miconia crenata, Blechnum appendiculatum, Cyrtandra grayi, Deparia petersenii, Menisciopsis cyatheoides, Alyxia stellata, Clermontia grandiflora Preserved_Specimen R. Henderson 66 maui BISH 2024-11-27
4 Wikstroemia oahuensis W. Maui, Waihee valley, back of valley near Wall of Tears Preserved_Specimen shrub 2 meter ht with flowers and fruit Perlman, S. 21269 Maui BISH 2008-11-07
5 Wikstroemia oahuensis Halawa Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-08-22
6 Wikstroemia oahuensis West Maui, Lahaina District, Kahana, N of Pohakukaanapali Gulch Preserved_Specimen Many branched shrub to 1.5m tall; unusual long, pendant inflorescence. Apparently a male plant, no seeds ever produced. Oppenheimer, H.L. 61203 Maui BISH 2012-06-07
7 Wikstroemia oahuensis Kawela Ahupuaa, East Molokai, trail west from Pepeopae bog to Hanalilolilo. Transect Mo, Station 3. Wet ohia forest with other native trees and a native shrub-matted fern understory. Preserved_Specimen Jacobi, J.D. 1416 Molokai BISH 1979-06-22
8 Wikstroemia oahuensis East Maui, Upper Shelf of Kipahulu Valley along Ginger Dogleg fenceline. Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1789 Maui BISH 1993-11-22
9 Wikstroemia oahuensis East Maui, Lower Shelf of Kipahulu Valley below Delta Camp in bogs. Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1630 Maui BISH 1992-06-03
10 Wikstroemia oahuensis W Maui, Puu Hipa, Launiupoko Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 4234 Maui BISH 2005-11-22
11 Wikstroemia oahuensis W Maui, near Poelua Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2196 Maui BISH 1983-07-01
12 Wikstroemia oahuensis unknown Preserved_Specimen BISH
13 Wikstroemia oahuensis Kawaiiki. Ahupuaa of Kawailoa. Northern Koolau mountains. Growing at Matt Damon LZ along ridgeline with Bidens macrocarpa, Macherina angustifolia, Palhinhaea cernua, Metrosideros polymorpha, Psidium cattleianum, Psychotria mariniana, Antidesma platyphyllum, Cheirodendron trigynum, Syzygium sandwicense, Dicranopteris linearis, and others. Preserved_Specimen Shrub with leaves glaucous below, green on top, veins reticulated. Flowers on a pendent peduncle, 1-3 cm long. Thomas, M.K. 1128 Oahu BISH 2025-05-28
14 Wikstroemia oahuensis east Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve, Kawaipapa drainage basin. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Polyscias, Broussaisia, Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, Sticherus, Machaerina, Clermontia, Cibotium, Dubautia, Pipturus, Trematolobelia, Sadleria, Dryopteris, Kadua, Coprosma, Phyllostegia, Labordia, Scaevola, Carex, Eragrostis, Amauropelta, Adenophorus, Lellingeria, Lepisorus, Oreogrammitis, Peperomia, Juncus, Tibouchina, Clidemia, Hedychium, Paspalum, Sacciolepis, Erechtites. Preserved_Specimen Occasional to common shrubs to 1.5m tall, mature fruit bright orange. Oppenheimer, H.L. 81338 Maui BISH 2013-08-22
15 Wikstroemia oahuensis Kawaipapa stream, above Nahiku-Hana area Metrosideros-Cheirodendron trigynum wet forest With Sadleria spp., Pipturus albidus, Clermontia grandiflora, Dubautia plantaginea, Cyrtandra grayana, Broussaisia arguta, Coprosma foliosa, Perrottetia grayana, Broussaisia arguta, Coprosma foliosa, Perrottetia sandwicensis, Clermontia kakeana, Polyscias oah Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 meter ht with fruit Perlman, S. 23125 Maui BISH 2012-11-14
16 Wikstroemia oahuensis Laulaupoe. Ahupuaa of Waikiki, ili of Wailupe. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Growing in mesic forest with Diospyros sandwicensis, D. Hillebrandii, Asplenium musifolium, Bidens sandvicensis, Euphorbia arnottiana, Kadua acuminata, Psidium cattleianum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Metrosideros polymorpha, Microlepia setosa, and others. Preserved_Specimen Tall shrub with elliptic-lanceolate leaves. Fruit fleshy, dark orange, mostly 1 cm long, ovate. Thomas, M.K. 972 Oahu BISH 2025-01-23
17 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hawaii Loa Ridge Along ridge trail. With Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Dodonaea viscosa, Psidium cat., Schinus terebinthifolius. Preserved_Specimen 1.5 m tall spindly shrub. Flower scent seminiferous. Thomas, M.K. 2023050 Oahu BISH 2023-12-26
18 Wikstroemia oahuensis Koloa District. Wahiawa drainage, North of Hulua, south of Waimea-Koloa district boundary, Lihue-Koloa Forest reserve, north of Kanaele swamp Metrosideros polymorpha-Dicranopteris linearis wet forest Antidesma platyphylla, Ilex anomala, Polyscias waialeale, Scaevola gaudichaudiana, Bobea brevipes, Psychotria mariniana, Cyanea kahilensis, weeds: Psidium cattleianum Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 meter ht. with yellow flowers, fruit red Perlman, S. 23473 Kauai BISH 2013-05-23
19 Wikstroemia oahuensis Laulaupoe. Ahupuaa of Waikiki, ili of Wailupe. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Dry-mesic shrubland on exposed ridge with Osteomeles anthyllydifolia, Psidium cattleianum, Santalum freycinetianum, Waltheria indica, Grevillea robusta, Cassytha filiformis, Euphorbia celastroides var. amplectens, and others. Preserved_Specimen Small shrub with spindly branches. Fruit a fleshy single seeded berry, red, 5 mm long, tear-drop shaped. Leaves pale on undersurface, darker green on upper, elliptic-ovate. Thomas, M.K. 975 Oahu BISH 2025-01-18
20 Wikstroemia oahuensis East Maui, Moku Huki, islet off N coast low basalt tide pools, ridge line; Sphenomeris chinensis, Sadleria pallida, Phymatosorus grossus, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Scaevola sericea, Pandanus tectorius, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Carex wahuensis, Cyperus phleoides, Cyperus polystachyos Preserved_Specimen 3x2 m tree; stems brown orange; early flower Wood, K.R. 11197 Maui BISH 2005-04-06
21 Wikstroemia oahuensis Lihue District. Iole Ridge. Metrosideros-Dicranopteris lowland wet shrubland with small pockets of mixed wet forest below ridgeline w/ Broussaisia arguta, Melicope feddei, Psychotria mariniana & P. wawrae, Kadua affinis, Antidesma platyphylla, Alyxia stellata, Syzygium sandwicensis, Dubautia laxa, Coprosma kauensis, Wikstroemia oa Preserved_Specimen Tree, 4 m tall, trunk brown-red mottled gray-white, corolla yellow-green, common. Wood, K.R. 16506 Kauai BISH 2015-06-25
22 Wikstroemia oahuensis Kamakou Preserve, forest upslope of Pu`u Kolekole, near summit old USFWS transect 7, East Moloka`i. Montane wet Metrosideros forest with native shrubs and ferns. Preserved_Specimen Shrub with yellow flowers. Pratt, L.W. 1126 Molokai BISH 1982-05-20
23 Wikstroemia oahuensis Lanaihale, headwaters of Hauola gulch, just over edge from Munro Trail Aspect N along ridge leading down into Hauola gulch, moderately open uluhe forest; DinLin/MetPol open forest: Metrosideros, Psidium, Cyanea gibsonii, Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium Preserved_Specimen low growing plant, spindly Z. Pezzillo 1279 Lanai BISH 2025-10-14
24 Wikstroemia oahuensis Kalahuapueo Secondary forest of conifers, remnant native vegetation. Preserved_Specimen 2-4 m dense shrub; flower greenish yellow, fragrant; tube 6-8 mm long. Nagata, K.M. 2676 Molokai BISH 1983-07-27
25 Wikstroemia oahuensis West Maui, Wailuku District, Waihee Valley, below the Wall of Tears on S side of main stream headwaters. Locally common in shady understory on wet ridge. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Perrottetia, Broussaisia, Cyrtandra, Christella, Sadleria, Cibotium, Diplazium, Isachne, Bidens, Clermontia, Cyanea, Antidesma, Kadua, Coprosma, Peperomia, Alyxia, Smilax, Carex, Ageratina, Tibouchina, Clidemia. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to 1.5m tall; fruit bright orange. Oppenheimer, H.L. 101204 Maui BISH 2012-10-16
26 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hana Forest Reserve Associated species: Metrosideros polymorpha, Cheirodendron trigynum, Melicope clusiifolia, Dicranopteris linearis, Hedychium gardnerianum, Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Juncus planifolius, Hydrangea aruguta, Paspalum urvillei, Geniostoma sp., Vaccinium dentatum, Carex alligata, Dryopteris wallichiana, Astelia menziesiana, Myrsine sandwicensis, Myrsine lessertiana, Athyrium microphyllum, Sadleria pallida, Peperomia sp., Cuphea carthagenensis, Rubus rosifolia, Phyllostegia ambigua. Preserved_Specimen Henderson, R. Maui BISH 2025-03-21
27 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hanalei District. Pohakuao, lower valley above helicopter LZ site. Relic Diospyros-Psydrax mesic forest w/ Psychotria mariniana, Metrosideros polymorpha, Wikstroemia oahuensis, Rauvolfia sandwicensis, Psychotria mariniana, Acacia koaia. Preserved_Specimen Tree 2 m tall, many branched, stems brown-red, in fruit, common. Wood, K.R. 17754 Kauai BISH 2017-12-14
28 Wikstroemia oahuensis Wahiawa area, near Hulua, off ridge between Wahiawa and Hanapepe valleys In Metrosideros- Dicranopteris linearis wet forest with Hesperomannia lydgatei, Viola helenae, Broussaisia arguta, Pritchardia flynnii, Scaevola procera, Dubautia imbricata, Cyanea habenata. Weeds: Psidium cattleianum, Rubus rosifolius. Preserved_Specimen Looked like Wikstroemia skottsbergiana so collected, fls and red frt., lvs large, falcate tip. Perlman, S. 20138 Kauai BISH 2006-12-06
29 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hanalei District: Lumahai Valley, south facing side of ridge running below southern end of Namolokama. Metrosideros lowland wet forest bordered by steep slopes of Dicranotpteris and Diplopterygium matting ferns, 90% closed canopy w/ Antidesma platyphyllum var. hillebrandii, Syzygium, sandwicensis, Cheirodendron forbesii, Ilex anomala, Wikstroemia oahuensis, Polyscias oahuensis, Polyscias waialealae, Dubautia knudsenii, Psychotr Preserved_Specimen Tree, 4 m tall, w/ flower green-yellow, several similar trees in area, possibly W. skottsbergiana. Wood, K.R. 19529 Kauai BISH 2024-06-27
30 Wikstroemia oahuensis west Maui, Lahaina District, Lihau Natural Area Reserve, SE side of planeze near Olowalu Valley. in shady forest on moderate slope. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Dodonaea, Leptecophylla, Coprosma, Myrsine, Alyxia, Smilax, Cyrtomium, Polypodium, Sphenomeris, Sadleria, Microlepia. Preserved_Specimen Uncommon, lanky shrubs to 1.25 m. Plants with unusual narrow leaves. Oppenheimer, H.L. 31306 Maui BISH 2013-03-13
31 Wikstroemia oahuensis Head of Kupaua valley near the Koolau summit. Ahupuaa of Waikiki. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Growing on top of small side ridge with Dicranopteris linearsis, Kadua acuminata, Polyscias oahuensis, Melinis, Axonopus fissifolius, Labordia tinifolia, Cibotium menziesii, Metrosideros polymorpha, Wikstroemia spp., and others. The ground underneath covered in Fissidens pacificus, Distichophyllum freycinettii, Chiloscyphus greenwelliae, Lophocolea, and others. Preserved_Specimen Small shrub less than 1 m high. Nearly prostrate from growing on wind swept ridge. Young stems sparsely pubescent, soon glabrous. Plants more typical of Wikstroemia oahuensis from further down the ridge. Very different from plants growing in the immediate vicinity. Thomas, M.K. 874 Oahu BISH 2024-10-19
32 Wikstroemia oahuensis West Maui, Wailuku District, Waihee Valley, below the Wall of Tears on S side of main stream headwaters. Locally common in shady understory on wet ridge. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Perrottetia, Broussaisia, Cyrtandra, Christella, Sadleria, Cibotium, Diplazium, Isachne, Bidens, Clermontia, Cyanea, Antidesma, Kadua, Coprosma, Peperomia, Alyxia, Smilax, Carex, Ageratina, Tibouchina, Clidemia. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to 1.5m tall; fruit bright orange. Oppenheimer, H.L. 101204 Maui BISH 2012-10-16
33 Wikstroemia oahuensis West Maui, Wailuku District, Iao valley, Nakalaloa Stream. Occasional and local in shady understory along perennial stream. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Coprosma, Ilex, Myrsine, Pipturus, Touchardia, Urera, Boehmeria, Cyrtandra, Cyanea, Freycinetia, Cibotium, Sadleria, Diplazium, Tibouchina, Clidemia, Rubus, Blechnum, Adiantum, Peperomia. Preserved_Specimen Sparingly branched shrubs to 1m+tall; fruit ellipsoid/ovate, reddish-orange, and unusually large leaves. Oppenheimer, H.L. 31313 Maui BISH 2013-03-26
34 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hanalei District. Lumahai, upper valley. Metrosideros lowland wet forest bordered by steep slopes of Dicranopteris and Diplopterygium matting ferns, 90% closed canopy w/ Antidesma platyphyllum var. hillebrandii, Broussaisia arguta, Syzygium sandwicensis, Cheirodendron forbesii, C. fauriei, Ilex anomala, Dubautia knudsenii, Psychotria mariniana, Bobea brevipes, Kadu Preserved_Specimen Tree, 2 m tall, well-branched, bark brown-red, w/ some fruit maturing reddish, mostly green immature, occasional, SEED COLL. ACC #20200257 Wood, K.R. 18471 Kauai BISH 2020-07-01
35 Wikstroemia oahuensis On ridge between Paaiki and Mahanaloa valleys Open, mesic-dry vegetation with Psidium cattleianum, Dodonaea viscosa, Scaevola gaudichaudii, Eragrostis variabilis, and Grevillea sp. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, 1.5 m tall. Dark bark with whitish lenticels by leaf scars. Fls green, slightly bilaterally symmetrical. Trauernicht, C. 536 Kauai BISH 2008-06-26
36 Wikstroemia oahuensis Bowman trail (ridge N of Likelike Hwy) Wet forest with Dicranopteris and Metrosideros Preserved_Specimen Frequent along trail, branch broken by other hikers Faccenda, K. 2059 Oahu BISH 2021-07-17
37 Wikstroemia oahuensis Mapulehu Ridge, East Molokai Exposed rock and soil. Vegetation: primarily exotic plants: Lantana, Schinus, Grevillea, and Leucaena on exposed soil and rock Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 5739 Molokai BISH 1977-04-11
38 Wikstroemia oahuensis Pahole NAR. Northern Waianae mountains near snail enclosure. Growing in remnant mesic forest dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha, Acacia koa, Planchonella sandwicensis, Ceodes umbellifere, Ceodes brunoniana, Dicranopteris linearis, Alyxia stellata, Sapindus oahuensis, and others. Also growing with weedy plants like Psidium cattleianum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Toona ciliata, Grevillea robusta, and thers. Preserved_Specimen This matches plants formerly refered to as Wikstroemia recurva. Thomas, M.K. 647 Oahu BISH 2024-04-20
39 Wikstroemia oahuensis Lihue-Koloa district boundary; Wahiawa Mts., Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve Gulch just behind kapalaoa, subgulch on east facing side of ridge. Montane Wet Metrosideros-Cheirodendron-Dicranopteris Forest w/Broussaisia arguta, Hedyotis terminalis, Ilex anomola, Eurya sandwicensis, Melicope clusifolia, Dubautia, Vaccinium, Diplopterygium pinnatum, psychotria mariniana, Platydesma spathulata, Myrsine, P (habitat description abruptly ends) Preserved_Specimen Upright trees about 6 ft. Bark red-brown, smooth, some w/ white lenticels. Tangalin, N. 2874 Kauai BISH 2011-10-25
40 Wikstroemia oahuensis End of Camp 10 Road, on plateau above parking area, on trail to Circle Bog Metrosideros-Dicranopteris - Cheirodendron Wet Montane forest with Syzygium, Leptecophylla, Melicope clusiifolia, M. anisata, Elaeocarpus, Elaphoglossum crassicaule covering forest floor, E. paleaceum, Psychotria, Viola wailenalenae, Stenogyne purpurea, Dianella sandwicensis, Tetraplasandra, Rubus hawaiensis, Scaevola, Broussaisia, Al. Preserved_Specimen Tree with red frt fallin on ground. Seed dark dull tear shape. Bark red-brn branches, drk trunk. Tree about 12 ft. Lvs drk green above, dull below. Tangalin, N. 2410 Kauai BISH 2010-10-08
41 Wikstroemia oahuensis E Molokai, Kamakou Preserve, stream near Kawela intake, Streamside in montane wet Metrosideros forest Preserved_Specimen shrub with yellow flower buds Pratt, L.W. 1238 Molokai BISH 1982-05-29
42 Wikstroemia oahuensis Pia Valley, East slope (facing West). Mid-slope between Pia valley and Kulepeamoa ridge. Along rocky trail. With Dodonaea viscosa, Sida falax, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia and Metrosideros polymorpha. Preserved_Specimen small spindly shrub <2m tall, few leaves remain. Small yellow-green flowers. No fruit present. Walvoord, N. 2023034 Oahu BISH 2023-10-24
43 Wikstroemia oahuensis Hanalei District, Lumahai, upper valley Metrosideros lowland wet forest bordered by steep slopes of Dicranopteris and Diplopterygium matting ferns, 90% closed canopy w/ Antidesma platyphyllum var. hillebrandii, Broussaisia arguta, Syzygium sandwicensis, Cheirodendron forbesii, C. fauriei, Ilex anomala, Dubautia knudsenii, Psychotria mariniana, Bobea brevipes, Kadu Preserved_Specimen Tree, 2 m tall, well-branched, bark brown-red, leaves army green, petiole and costa yellowish, w/ in flower, corolla yellow-green, occasional. Wood, K.R. 18474 Kauai BISH 2020-07-01
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