Tetramolopium lepidotum
Genus
Tetramolopium
Species
lepidotum
Subspecies
- arbusculum
- lepidotum
Common Names
- Waiʻanae Range tetramolopium
Synonyms
- Erigeron lepidotus
- Erigeron pauciflorus
- Erigeron tenerrimus var. lepidotus
- Tetramolopium arbusculum
- Tetramolopium chamissonis
- Tetramolopium chamissonis var. arbusculum
- Tetramolopium chamissonis var. luxurians
- Tetramolopium lepidotum
- Tetramolopium lepidotum var. luxurians
- Vittadinia chamissonis
- Vittadinia chamissonis var.? arbuscula
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
Mature Size, Width
Shrub spreads to about one or more feet wide.
Life Span
Short lived (Less than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Tetramolpium look great in a black cinder bed against large boulders. They do very well in pots too.
In the landscape, if the seeds are not collected they can appear in other some strange areas, such as on/in rock walls, because of wind scattered seeds, and can at first be mistaken for a common garden weed. The small dandy lion-like clusters of seeds can be harvested before the wind takes them away. Store them in a refrigerator in a paper envelope. They can remain viable for at least two years. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Tetramolopium species easily hybridize between each other and produce viable seed--a fact to bear in mind when growing more than one species.[David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Cream
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
The small white flowers are showy when blooming en masse.
Blooming Period
- Sporadic
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- April
- May
- June
- July
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
In the wild, the Waiʻanae Range tetramolopium has been observed to flower and fruit from may to July. [1]
Under cultivation the blooming and fruit period is sporadic throughout the year with peaks from the spring into the fall months. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant texture
- Fine
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Spider mites, root mealybugs.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer with minor elements once a year. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
Spent flowers can be trimmed off or allowed to form seed heads for future sowing or reseeding.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
When first planted, water weekly for a month and after that only when the soil is very dry.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Best when given as much bright light as possible.
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This species is found from about 1970 to 2950 feet. Now known on grassy ridgetops or flats and west-facing cliff faces, mesic forest.
The subsp. arbusculum was found in Haleakalā Crater, Maui. Now extinct.
The subsp. lepidotum was formerly found on Lānaʻi, but now extinct there. Historically these plants were found along the entire the Waiʻanae Range, Oʻahu, from Mākua Valley to Cachexia Ridge. Now they are limited small populations at Kuma Kākiʻi, Waiʻanae Kai and Puʻu Kaua. [1]
Special Features and Information
General Information
There are nearly 40 species of Tetramolopium in the Sunflower family or Asteraceae. One species is found in the Cook Is., about 25 are in New Guinea, and twelve endemic species in the Hawaiian Islands. Nearly every Hawaiian species is considered either vulnerable, rare or federally listed as endangered, with a few extinct.
Etymology
Tetramolopium is derived from the Greek tetra, four, and molopium, stripes, referring to the nerves on the achene (fruit, seed).
The species and subspecies lepidotum from the Greek, lepio, scaly, literally "covered with scales."
The subspecies arbusculum from the Latin, arbuscula, small or dwarf tree.
Background Information
For taxonimical purposes, the two subspecies are recognized by the following differences:
The now extinct subsp. arbusculum had thin (linear to filiform) leaves, and the bracts (involucre) under the flowers are longer (more than 4 mm high).
The subsp. lepidotum has somewhat wide (linear-oblanceolate) to wider (oblanceolate) leaves, and and the bracts (involucre) under the flowers are shorter (less than 4 mm high).
Additional References
[1] "Recovery Plans for the Oahu Plants" by USFWS, pages 160-161.
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