A new species of Cyanea Gaud. (Lobelioideae, Campanulaceae) from Maui, Hawai`i

PhytoKeys. 2020 Nov 20:167:1-11. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.167.55107. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Cyanea heluensis H. Oppenheimer, sp. nov., a new, narrowly distributed endemic species, is herein described and illustrated with line drawings and digital field photos. It is currently known from a single mature plant and is restricted to the upper Helu planeze on leeward Mauna Kahalawai, West Maui, Hawaiian Islands. It differs from all other species of Cyanea Gaudich. with its narrow, shallowly lobed leaves, gently curved muricate corollas, and undulate sepals caducous in fruit. A key to the new species and its congeners on Mauna Kahalawai is provided. Its conservation status and efforts to propagate the species are discussed.

Keywords: Hawaiian Islands; IUCN Red List; Plant Extinction Prevention Program; conservation.