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Oreobolus furcatus

H.Mann (1867)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Cyperaceae Genus: Oreobolus

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Densely tufted perennials usually forming large tussocks, rhizomes ascending and branched, up to 12 cm long, clothed with pale grayish brown remnants of leaf sheaths.

Stems: culms rigid, 3–12 cm tall, slightly longer than the leaves when fruiting.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Leaves numerous, densely tufted at apices of rhizomes, somewhat irregularly to regularly 2-ranked. Blades coriaceous, linear, 2–8 cm long, 1.5–2.5 mm wide, channeled. Apex subobtuse to subacute. Margins entire. 3-veined. Sheaths yellowish brown to brown, obtusely 3–5–nerved. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences racemose, bearing 3–5 spikelets at 1–2 nodes; involucral bracts as long as or slightly longer than the subtending spikelets, sheathing at base; spikelets 1–flowered, solitary or paired on the enclosed to partially exserted peduncle, lanceolate, 6–8 mm long; glumes 4–5, pale brown with greenish keel, nearly 2–tanked, chartaceous, lanceolate. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Perianth scales 6, maturing dark brown, oblong–lanceolate. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 3. Ovary superior; styles elongated, apex 3-cleft, base slightly dilated.

Fruit: Achenes dark brown; obovoid; trigonous. Seeds 1; seed coat thin; free from pericarp; embryo basal; endosperm abundant.

Ploidy: 2n = 42*

Habitat: Forming tussocks in open bogs or open; cloud swept summits in wet forest.

Elevation Range: 6400–2,320 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
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 7: 210 (1867)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1424 (K, O, Mo, M); Oppenheimer & Pezzillo 2024:59 (H)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Oreobolus furcatus E of Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 845 Maui BISH 1919-07-17
2 Oreobolus furcatus West Maui, Eeka Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Maui BISH
3 Oreobolus furcatus E of Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 824 Maui BISH 1919-07-17
4 Oreobolus furcatus E of Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 645 Maui BISH 1919-07-17
5 Oreobolus furcatus E of Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 845 Maui BISH 1919-07-17
6 Oreobolus furcatus Puu Hualalai, Puuwaawaa Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 11382 Hawaii BISH 1931-12-29
7 Oreobolus furcatus Halehoku Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1036 Maui BISH 1919-08-03
8 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp near Kilohana Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 949 Kauai BISH 1922-10-27
9 Oreobolus furcatus Kauai Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Kauai BISH 1925-03-01
10 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Olaa Gap Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Maui BISH 1957-08-31
11 Oreobolus furcatus Waimea Drainage Basin, West side Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Kauai BISH 1917-07-03
12 Oreobolus furcatus United States Hawaii, Hawaii County. Puu makaala Natural Area Reserve site Preserved_Specimen Uehana, S.T. 6 Hawaii BISH
13 Oreobolus furcatus West Maui, top of Mt. Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 436 Maui BISH 1864-01-01
14 Oreobolus furcatus W Maui, Puu Kukui Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 753 Maui BISH 1922-10-09
15 Oreobolus furcatus Pepeopae Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 2549 Molokai BISH 1938-07-09
16 Oreobolus furcatus Ainapo trail, water tank Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 263 Hawaii BISH 1942-12-25
17 Oreobolus furcatus Kohala summit Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 8400 Hawaii BISH 1910-06-01
18 Oreobolus furcatus E of Ukulele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 845 Maui BISH 1919-07-17
19 Oreobolus furcatus Halehoku Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1036 Maui BISH 1919-08-03
20 Oreobolus furcatus Wahiawa Bog Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1458 Kauai BISH 1969-12-20
21 Oreobolus furcatus road from Kulani to Mauna Loa, edge of 1942 lava flow crevices on rock, old aa lava; with Metrosideros Preserved_Specimen dense cushions Fosberg, F.R. 42052 Hawaii BISH 1961-09-06
22 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp Swamp Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2396 Kauai BISH 1972-04-25
23 Oreobolus furcatus Western Piinaau headwaters. Subalpine shrubland associated with Metrosideros montane mesic forest and montane wet forest. Dominated by Lycopodium venstulum and Oreobolus furcatus, with Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Vaccinium reticulatum, Sadleria cyatheoides, Coprosma montana, C. ernodioides, Pteridium decompositum, Rubus. Preserved_Specimen sedge, mat forming tussusks, dominant with Lycopodium venustulum and occasional Calamagrostis expansa. Wood, K.R. 14238 Maui BISH 2010-06-08
24 Oreobolus furcatus Summit of Waialeale On wet rocks. Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 3071 Kauai BISH 1938-08-23
25 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, NW Haleakala, 1.5 mi NE of Paliku Cabin bog; with Deschampsia, Carex svenonis, C. montis-eeka, Vaccinium, Panicum Preserved_Specimen large clumps Henrickson, J.S. 3897 Maui BISH 1969-07-18
26 Oreobolus furcatus Pepeopae Bog Formed humped mats somewhat like Zoysia tenuifolia. Wet, open area. Preserved_Specimen Newell, T.K. 489 Molokai BISH 1967-04-25
27 Oreobolus furcatus Bog above Pelekunu Bog Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 373 Molokai BISH 1916-06-05
28 Oreobolus furcatus Saddle Rd., Waiakea, S Hilo, 1855 lava flow, 29 mi from Hilo mossy ledges, wooded kipuka Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22383 Hawaii BISH 1946-12-26
29 Oreobolus furcatus [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A. lower bog Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. 411 BISH
30 Oreobolus furcatus W Maui, Puu Kukui bog Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 7620 Maui BISH 1976-01-06
31 Oreobolus furcatus Koloa District, Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve.Wahiawa Bog low altitude bog with Dicranopteris, Oreobolus, and dwarf shrubs including Metrosideros, Pelea, and Chamaesyce Preserved_Specimen Perennial herb forming dense mats in open areas on saturated soil, leaves rigid.. Locally abundant. Lorence, D.H. 5172 Kauai BISH 1987-04-10
32 Oreobolus furcatus Kahuku Ranch, SW Mauna Loa, Kau bare aa lava; with Vaccinium reticulatum, Geranium cuneatum hypoleucum, Styphelia tameiameiae, Argyroxiphium kauense, Metrosideros polymorpha Preserved_Specimen Carlquist, S. 2111 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-02
33 Oreobolus furcatus Waimea Drainage Basin, West side Alakai Swamp Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 877 Kauai BISH 1917-07-03
34 Oreobolus furcatus Kauluwehi Swamp swamp Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12904 Kauai BISH 1916-10-01
35 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, NW Haleakala, 1.5 mi NE of Paliku Cabin bog; with Deschampsia, Carex svenonis, C. montis-eeka, Vaccinium, Panicum Preserved_Specimen large clumps Henrickson, J.S. 3897 Maui BISH 1969-07-18
36 Oreobolus furcatus Lehua Makanoi bog and vicinity, Alakai Swamp Swamp, common in bog Preserved_Specimen n globose tufts or cushions Fosberg, F.R. 64321 Kauai BISH 1984-03-31
37 Oreobolus furcatus upper Waiakea FR, pole 8 along powerline road, ~100' E of powerline road wet kipuka Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5931 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-06
38 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Hana District, Haleakala, SE Kuiki forest, ridge Preserved_Specimen tussocks St.John, H. 21163 Maui BISH 1945-08-26
39 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Kipahulu-Kuhiwa divide, Wai Anapanapa ridge, turf Preserved_Specimen tussocks St.John, H. 20996 Maui BISH 1945-08-14
40 Oreobolus furcatus Forest Bog above Pelekunu Forest Bog Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 556 Molokai BISH
41 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp In open bog Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Kauai BISH 1936-08-17
42 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp Swamp Preserved_Specimen Abundant. Forming tufts. Herbst, D.R. 2202 Kauai BISH 1971-10-03
43 Oreobolus furcatus Kilohana bogs Preserved_Specimen 1' diam. hemispherical tussock Takeuchi, W.N. 129 Kauai BISH 1983-07-31
44 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp; along Alakai Swamp Trail; Swamp Preserved_Specimen Sterile tussocks Stone, B.C. 1519 Kauai BISH 1956-12-27
45 Oreobolus furcatus W Maui, Lahaina District, Haelaau-Puu Kukui Trail open Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Maui BISH 1957-08-20
46 Oreobolus furcatus Kahuku Ranch silversword area Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 1125 Hawaii BISH 1976-07-24
47 Oreobolus furcatus Koolau Gap within Haleakala Crater In fog-swept gap; very localized. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8302 Maui BISH 1927-08-19
48 Oreobolus furcatus Saddle Rd. kipuka, edge of shaded swamp Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 20671 Hawaii BISH 1949-04-28
49 Oreobolus furcatus 18 mi W of Hilo, along Hwy, 20 open, dry; with grasses, Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Sadleria Preserved_Specimen foot black Henrickson, J.S. 4128 Hawaii BISH 1969-08-07
50 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Haleakala rocky slope Preserved_Specimen large bunch Hitchcock, A.S. 1290215000 Maui BISH 1916-10-02
51 Oreobolus furcatus West Maui, Puu Kukui bog vegetation Preserved_Specimen Gillett, G.W. 2446 Maui BISH 1972-08-07
52 Oreobolus furcatus Northwest area of Alakai Bog, Alakai Swamp Abundant, basis of formation of open bog with dwarf Metrosideros Preserved_Specimen Round to subglobose cushions Fosberg, F.R. 64328 Kauai BISH 1984-03-31
53 Oreobolus furcatus Waikolu Valley, Kawela, ridge between Hanalilolilo and Pepeopae Bog Preserved_Specimen Forming tufts in bog St.John, H. 12544 Molokai BISH 1932-12-25
54 Oreobolus furcatus Kau, Kahuku Ranch aa lava; with Metrosideros, Styphelia, Lycopodium, Oreobolus, Deschampsia, Coprosma, Dubautia, Geranium, Vaccinium, Luzula, Gahnia, Plantago, Stereocaulon, Cladonia Preserved_Specimen sedge; large, spherical masses Herbst, D.R. 5043 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-19
55 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Hana Forest Reserve bog; with Trisetum, Styphelia, Viola, Vaccinium, Deschampsia Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 479 Maui BISH 1973-09-23
56 Oreobolus furcatus Puu Kukui bog Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Maui BISH 1933-08-16
57 Oreobolus furcatus Helemano - Punaluu Divide Punaluu, cloud zone, crest of precipice, in mossy turf. Growing with Sanicula purpurea and Panicum koolauense. Preserved_Specimen One tuft, 2 dm. in diam. St.John, H. 23560 Oahu BISH 1949-02-20
58 Oreobolus furcatus Kawela Bog Bog Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 192 Molokai BISH 1912-07-01
59 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp swamp Preserved_Specimen (Not on sheet) Kauai BISH 1932-07-14
60 Oreobolus furcatus Puu Kukui open bog Preserved_Specimen big tussocks St.John, H. 10260 Maui BISH 1930-02-07
61 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai Swamp In wet parts of bogs, found up to summit area of Waialeale Preserved_Specimen Dense hard cushion, 3 - 15 cm high, 2 - 30 cm wide. Leaves green white at base, steeaked orangish brown. van Royen, P. 11717 Kauai BISH 1977-09-01
62 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Kipahulu-Kuhiwa divide, Wai Anapanapa ridge, turf Preserved_Specimen tussocks St.John, H. 20996 Maui BISH 1945-08-14
63 Oreobolus furcatus Hana FR, NE of Pohaku Palaha Deschampsia meadow Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 3045 Maui BISH 1973-08-06
64 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Koolau Gap, 2 mi N of Holua Cave on shallow moist soil on basalt aa flow Preserved_Specimen tussocks St.John, H. 21308 Maui BISH 1945-09-04
65 Oreobolus furcatus Site 26 OS; Piihonua; Hilo Forest Reserve Pubescent `ohi`a dieback. Primary vegetation: Metrosideros polymorpha (pubescent), Ilex anomala, Myrsine lessertiana, Cheirodendron trigynum, Coprosma ochracea & Pelea sp. Soil an extremely shallow well drained organic found over an a`a flow. Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1979-06-27
66 Oreobolus furcatus West Maui, Puu Kukui summit bog Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 2635 Maui BISH 1938-07-24
67 Oreobolus furcatus Kawela Bog Bog Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 192 Molokai BISH 1912-07-01
68 Oreobolus furcatus Alakai, Lehua Makanoe bog bog Preserved_Specimen Cranwell, L.M. 2903 Kauai BISH 1938-08-13
69 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, NW Haleakala, 1.5 mi NE of Paliku Cabin with Deschampsia, Carex montis-eeka, C. svenonis, Panicum lamiatile, Luzula Preserved_Specimen large clumps Henrickson, J.S. 3611 Maui BISH 1969-06-21
70 Oreobolus furcatus edge of the bog, in a kipuka near the 1852 aa flow, upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, South Hilo District At the edge of a big. Preserved_Specimen A low sedge, 8 in. ht., good vigor, of occasional occurence, growing in small tussocks. Clarke, G. 580 Hawaii BISH 1981-04-10
71 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Waikau, E Koolau gap On a'a lava at ecotone area between rainforest and subalpine scrub. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 477 Maui BISH 1983-07-28
72 Oreobolus furcatus Saddle area, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail. Northing:2176919; Easting: 251809 Aspect: East. Common along edge of kipuka. Kipuka, wet mesic forest. Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Acacia, Santalum, Coprosma montana, C. ernodeoides, Vaccinium, Dicranopteris, Stenogyne, Machaerina, Leptecophylla, Carex, Deschampsia Preserved_Specimen Pezzillo, Z. 30 Hawaii BISH 2022-08-17
73 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Koolau Gap slope; mosses and lichens Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 26081 Maui BISH 1957-08-30
74 Oreobolus furcatus Hale Forestline on E. edge of open areas in forest with stunted vegetation. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 483 Maui BISH 1983-08-09
75 Oreobolus furcatus Wahiawa, Kahili Bog open bog Preserved_Specimen Forming low tussocks St.John, H. 13570 Kauai BISH 1933-12-24
76 Oreobolus furcatus Waimea District, Alakai Swamp Swamp Preserved_Specimen Forming large tussocks Herbst, D.R. 2396 Kauai BISH 1972-04-25
77 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Ainahou, Koolau Gap Low down into Metrosideros forest in forest opening with Holcus. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 468 Maui BISH 1983-07-22
78 Oreobolus furcatus Kahuku, Mauna Loa, Ainapo trail moist, open Preserved_Specimen tussocks Hosaka, E.Y. 1458 Hawaii BISH 1936-07-28
79 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve with Panicum, Styphelia douglasii, Viola, Plantago Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 249 Maui BISH 1973-06-29
80 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Hana District, Hana Forest Reserve, above Wai Anapanapa ridge; with Railliardia, Vaccinium, Lysimachia, Coprosma ernodeoides Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 486 Maui BISH 1973-09-23
81 Oreobolus furcatus Ahupuaa of Wahiawa, Loloa District, Wahiawa Bog In and around bog Preserved_Specimen Forming tussocks in bog Lamoureux, C.H. 2652 Kauai BISH 1964-04-25
82 Oreobolus furcatus Kamakou Preserve, Kawela Section, Pepeopae Bog Growing with Panicum imbricatum and mosses, in bog vegetation dominated by low `ohi`a, pukiawe, and `uki. Preserved_Specimen Low creeping sedge forming tussocks. Cuddihy, L.W. 1189 Molokai BISH 1982-05-27
83 Oreobolus furcatus Pepeopae Bog Bog Preserved_Specimen Forming cushions up to 18 inches in diameter, with similar cusions of Panicum imbricatu m(pro.=P.isachnoides), and such other bog plans as Viola mauiensis, Plantago hillebrandii, Vaccinium pahalae, Astelia forbesii, and stunted specimens of Styphelia and Metrosideros. Carlquist, S. 2228 Molokai BISH 1966-08-25
84 Oreobolus furcatus Kawela Bog Bog Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 192 Molokai BISH 1912-07-01
85 Oreobolus furcatus Kalaupapa; Puu Alii, SW small bog, open, 1-2 m Metrosideros Preserved_Specimen terrestrial tussocks; leaves dark green stiff Wood, K.R. 11253.001 Molokai BISH 2005-04-26
86 Oreobolus furcatus Pepeopae Bog bog Preserved_Specimen Common in Pepeopae bog forming dense hummocks, Fairly coarse. Davis, J. 67 Molokai BISH 1978-10-08
87 Oreobolus furcatus Haleakala, Kaeanae Gap Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1062 Maui BISH 1919-08-05
88 Oreobolus furcatus W Maui, Puu Kukui Preserved_Specimen Hitchcock, A.S. 1484412903 Maui BISH 1916-09-01
89 Oreobolus furcatus Kahuku, 5 mi NE of Nene Cabin Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 26785 Hawaii BISH 1971-06-24
90 Oreobolus furcatus above E end, Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Henrickson, J.S. 3897 Maui BISH 1969-07-18
91 Oreobolus furcatus East Maui, Hana District, E Haleakala, 2 mi NE of Paliku cabin, near Kalapawili ridge W of Wai Anapanapa, !/4 mi Preserved_Specimen tussocks to 2' diam. Henrickson, J.S. 3583 Maui BISH 1969-06-19
92 Oreobolus furcatus West Maui, Puu Kukui sloping bog; with Lagenophora, Metrosideros, Lobelia, Argyroxiphium, Viola, Wilkesia Preserved_Specimen Gillett, G.W. 1791 Maui BISH 1965-06-21
93 Oreobolus furcatus Puu Kukui, West Maui In open bog. Preserved_Specimen Forming cushions to a foot or so in diameter. Herbst, D.R. 1321 Maui BISH 1968-11-28
94 Oreobolus furcatus Waialeale summit. bog Preserved_Specimen up to 3.5 cm tall Bryan Jr., E.H. 423 Kauai BISH 1927-07-12
95 Oreobolus furcatus N Haleakala, above Kipahulu Preserved_Specimen base of leaves brown, roots red Forbes, C.N. 1096 Maui BISH 1919-08-09
96 Oreobolus furcatus Waimea Drainage Basin, West side Alakai swamp Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Kauai BISH 1917-07-03
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