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Spermolepis hawaiiensis

H.Wolff (1921)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Apiales Family: Apiaceae Genus: Spermolepis

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Annual, slender, erect herbs 0.5–2 dm tall.

Stems: Caulescent, stems few–branched above, essentially glabrous.

Roots: Taproots slender.

Leaves: Leaves compound (ternately decompound). Alternate. Blades oblong to ovate(?), 1–4 cm long, ultimate divisions linear to linear–lanceolate, 3–6 mm long. basal leaves soon withering. the lowest divisions long–petiolate. cauline leaves smaller, less divided, sessile. Apex acute. Margins scaberulous. Petioles slender 2–3 cm long, tapering into a narrow, carious–margined sheath. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in lax compound umbels arising opposite the upper leaves. Peduncles 1–3 cm long, involucre of a single foliaceous bract or absent, rays 2–6, quadrangular, unequal, 5–15 mm long, spreading-ascending, umbellets 2–6 flowered, pedicels unequal, 2–6 mm long (a solitary central flower sometimes present), spreading-ascending to ascending, involucel of 1–5 linear-lanceolate, scaberulous–margined, acute bractlets 1–6 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla of 5 petals; petals white, elliptic to obovate, without a narrower inflexed apex. Stamens 5, inserted on an epigynous disk. Ovary inferior, 2-celled; ovules 1 per cells, anatropous; styles 2, usually swollen at base into a stylopodium. Styles very short, much shorter than the sharply conical stylopodium.

Fruit: Fruit ovoid; compressed laterally and constricted at the commissure; 3–4 mm long; 2–4 mm wide; apex attenuate; base rounded; mericarps suborbicular in transsection; covered with irregularly arranged tubercles; some of which bear slender uncinate bristles; concealing the filiform ribs; vittae large; 1–3 in intervals; 2 on the commissure; commissural face sulcate; mericarps readily separating. Seeds 1 per mericarp; embryo small; endosperm cartilaginous. seed grooved beneath the vittae.

Ploidy: 2n = 22*

Habitat: Known from open areas on Kaua‘i; O‘ahu; Moloka‘i; Maui; and Hawai‘i; it has also been collected in cultivated fields at lower elevations; and hence has been mistaken for a European weed.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

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

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Pumehana Imada

Bibliography

Name Published In: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 440 (1921)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:212 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Lorence et al. 1995:22 (REDISCOVER/K); Wagner & Herbst 1995:15 (L, REDISCOVER/Mo)

Wagner, W. L., Herbst, D. R., & Sohmer, S. H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i, Vols. 1 and 2 (No. Edn 2). University of Hawai'i and Bishop Museum Press.

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Mixed open dry forest. w/ Erythrina sandwicensis, Reynoldsia sandwicensis, Diospyros sandwicensis, Nesoluma polynesicum, Nothocestrum latifolium, Dodonaea viscosa, Wiksroemia monticola, Doryopteris decipiens, Myoporum sand Preserved_Specimen on aa clinker with soil pockets, herb, in flower and fruit, corolla white, long tap root, stems with purple tinge, ca 100+ in area, seed collected Wood, K.R. 13700 Maui BISH 2009-04-21
2 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 340 Lanai BISH 1919-04-18
3 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 7027 Molokai BISH 1910-04-01
4 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 76 Lanai BISH 1927-06-11
5 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 310 Lanai BISH 1910-04-18
6 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Relic Dodonaea shrubland. W/ Bidens sandwicensis, Melanthera connata, Sida fallax, Sicyos herbstii, Schiedea spergulina, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Heeropogon contortus, Panicum konaense, Doryopteris decora Preserved_Specimen herb, single stem green or pink-red, leaves green or green-yellow, up to 35 cm tall, mature fruite brown, occasional Wood, K.R. 14621 Kauai BISH 2011-04-20
7 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Above and along fenceline. Associated vegetation: Dodonaea, Leptecophylla, Osteomeles, Wikstroemia, Sida, Cyperus, Sphenomeris, Metrosideros, Pseudognaphalium, Agrostis, Bidens, Lipochaeta, Doryopteris. Preserved_Specimen Unusually large, others 50 cm+ tall are not uncommon; scented. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60705 Molokai BISH 2007-06-07
8 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In soil pockets among rocks in Dry Shrubland. Vegetation: Leucaena, Dodonaea, Sida, Eragrostis, Cenchrus, Doryopteris, Psilotum. Preserved_Specimen About 2 dozen plants observed. Oppenheimer, H.L. 30611 Maui BISH 2006-03-11
9 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Aspect: N, remant dry shrubland on steep north slope of Puu Hona. Low elevation dry shrubland: Dodonaea, Acacia koa, Scaevola gaudichaudii, Lipochaeta lobata, Heteropogon, Euphorbia cellastroides amplectans, Schiedea salicaria, Myoporum, Achyranthes splendens, Bidens mauiensis, Panicum torridum, Cenchrus cillaris, Leucaena, Lantana Preserved_Specimen Pezzillo, Z. 406 Maui BISH 2023-04-05
10 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
11 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. BISH 1851-01-01
12 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Steep N facing slope in soil pockets in remant dry forest. Associated vegetation: Dodonaea, Diospyros, Gouania, Metrosideros, Chenopodium, Leptecophylla, Doryopteris, Carex, Cyperus, Eragrostis, Panicum, Santalum, Myoporum, Melanthera, Ipomoea, Sida, Alyxia, Bidens, Psydrax, Osteomeles. Preserved_Specimen 2-6. Oppenheimer, H.L. 20726 Maui BISH 2007-02-28
13 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Observed on steep slope near large boulders and bluff, about mid-slope on steep, windward facing valley wall. Growing in protected soil pockets at edge of good habitat, just up from Leucaena dominated slope. Vegetation: Dodonaea, Bidens, Melanthera, Chamaesyce, Panicum, Sida, Eragrostis, Doryopteris, Leucaena, Opuntia, Sonchus, Emilia, Conyza. Preserved_Specimen Several hundred plants. Oppenheimer, H.L. 20912 Maui BISH 2009-02-04
14 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing in shady spots on gully slope beneath Lantana and Dodonaea. Preserved_Specimen Delicate annual plants. Hobdy, R.W. 2506 Maui BISH 1986-02-12
15 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Observed on ledges on thin soils in ungulate and weed degraded area. Vegetation: Dodonaea, Erythrina, Myoporum, Waltheria, Doryopteris, Lanatana, Leucaena, Prosopis, Heteropogon. Preserved_Specimen Scattered, several colonies of plants with 20-100+ individuals. Oppenheimer, H.L. 31706 Lanai BISH 2017-03-29
16 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Among rock outcroppings. A very extensive colony was scattered along the steep slope. Preserved_Specimen Plants unusually robust and scented. Hobdy, R.W. 3017 Lanai BISH 1989-02-21
17 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details sunny, rocky, goat ravaged area. Vegetation: Myoporum, Dodonaea, Lantana, Phytolacca, Conyza, Catharanthus, Pityrogramma, Amaranthus, Chenopodium. Preserved_Specimen Locally common; thousands of dried plants observed.over serveral hundred meters. Apparently not browsed by feral goats. Oppenheimer, H.L. 80904 Molokai BISH 2009-08-04
18 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Frail weed on tufa debris, locally common ephemeral herb community, sun-exposed, summer-arid habitat. Preserved_Specimen Distinct celery-like fragrance when removed from collecting bag. Takeuchi, W.N. 3811 Oahu BISH 1988-03-20
19 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Above and along fenceline. Associated vegetation: Dodonaea, Leptecophylla, Osteomeles, Wikstroemia, Sida, Cyperus, Sphenomeris, Metrosideros, Pseudognaphalium, Agrostis, Bidens, Lipochaeta, Doryopteris. Preserved_Specimen Unusually large, others 50 cm+ tall are not uncommon; scented. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60705 Molokai BISH 2007-06-07
20 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On exposed slopes of weathered tufa; restricted to weed-free patches of ground. Common ephemeral following winter bloom. Most robust plants found among Eragrostis bunch-grass. Preserved_Specimen Height generally 10-25 cm +. Takeuchi, W.N. 3816 Oahu BISH 1988-03-22
21 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In Dodonaea viscosa lowland dry shrubland with Myoporum, Sida fallax, Schiedea menziesii, Bidens menziesii, Lipochaeta lavarum, Chamaesyce, Leucaena leucocephala, Rhynchelytrum repens, Opuntia. Preserved_Specimen Herbs with flowers and fruits. Perlman, S. 8454 Maui BISH 1988-04-05
22 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing with Daucus pusillus. Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 7027 Molokai BISH 1910-04-01
23 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Common in gulches in poor soil in goat damaged Ohia-Pukiawe grassland. Growing vigorously in patches of disturbed soil much like a weed. Preserved_Specimen Plants unusually robust & scented. Hobdy, R.W. 3035 Molokai BISH 1989-03-30
24 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Common in the grass-herb understory of an open a`alii-ilima shrubland. Preserved_Specimen Hundreds of 3-15 cm tall plants seen; early growth stages, hence sterile. Hobdy, R.W. 3993 Lanai BISH 1996-02-02
25 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Scattered to locally common on windward facing mid-to upper slopes. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Diospyros, Dodonaea, Pouteria, Melicope, Lipochaeta, Bidens, Pteridium, Coprosma, Myrsine, Pleomele, Luzula, Lepisorus, Dryopteris, Asplenium, Doryopteris, Leptecophylla, Wikstroemia, Carex, Cyperus, Panicum. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 40710 Molokai BISH 2007-04-05
26 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 147 Molokai BISH 1912-07-01
27 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details on windward facing slopes in open, dry shrubland. Vegetation: Dodonaea, Bidens, Leptecophylla, Sida, Pseudognaphalium, Pteridium, Myoporum, Cyperus, Silene, Doryopteris, Metrosideros. Preserved_Specimen Scattered white flowered herbs Oppenheimer, H.L. 40708 Molokai BISH 2007-04-05
28 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details exposed slopes, weathered tufa, with Eragrostis bunchgrass Preserved_Specimen 4-10 in. Takeuchi, W.N. 3816 Oahu BISH 1988-03-22
29 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Vegetation: Dodonaea, Sida, Osteomeles, Lipochaeta, Sicyos, Diospyros, Metrosideros, Pleomele, Schiedea, Silene, Cyperus, Antidsma, Lepidium, Bidens, Panicum, Eragrostis, Carex, Lantana, Ageratina. Preserved_Specimen Locally common, 1000's of plants. Oppenheimer, H.L. 40909 Molokai BISH 2009-08-02
30 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Infrequent in Ohia Forest at top of Pali. Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 557 Hawaii BISH 1943-05-18
31 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details exposed slopes, weathered tufa, with Eragrostis bunchgrass Preserved_Specimen 4-10 in. Takeuchi, W.N. 3816 Oahu BISH 1988-03-22
32 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Annual herb to 30 cm tall. Flowers white, fruits muricate, green ripening brown Lorence, D.H. 10177 Kauai BISH 2010-04-02
33 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On steep S slope of the valley. Vegetation: Dodonaea viscosa, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Lipochaeta lavarum, Bidens menziesii, Myoporum sandwicensis, Ipomoea tuboides, Panicum torridum, Panicum xerophyllum, Heteropogon contortus, Sida fallax, Doryoteris decipiens, Plectranthus parviflora. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 30206 Maui BISH 2002-03-03
34 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing beneath Dodonaea and Lantana scrub. Locally common over less than an acre, apparently absent nearby. Habitat - 2-3 m high open Dodonaea and Lantana scrub understroy of low herbs and grasses (Ageratum conyzoides, Panicum torridum, Panicum xerophilum, Bromus rubens, Lipochaeta connata, Ipomoea tuboides, Eragrostis atropioides, Heteropogon contortus, Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2544 Maui BISH 1986-03-05
35 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Scattered colonies, specimen collected at site with >50plants; several sites occurring in recently burned area. Vegetation: Dodonaea, Sida, Euchiton, Cenchrus, Ipomoea, Eragrostis, Heteropogon, Waltheria. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 20803 Maui BISH 2008-02-13
36 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details ridges, bare rock; Metrosideros, Leptecophylla, Lipochaeta rockii, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Nestegis sandwicensis, Spermolepis hawaiiensis, Nesoluma polynesicum, Pouteria sandwicensis, Coprosma foliosa, Melinis minutiflora, Anthoxanthum, Ageratina riparia Preserved_Specimen 1-2'; fruit Perlman, S. 20421 Molokai BISH 2007-06-07
37 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing with Daucus pusillus. Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 7027 Molokai BISH 1910-04-01
38 Spermolepis hawaiiensis Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On steep S slope in dry shrubland/grassland. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 30205 Maui BISH 2002-03-02
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