Image of Mauna Kea phyllostegia

Description:

This endangered and rare species is endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. It was long thought extinct and descriptions came from only 2 samples taken above Hilo on Mauna Kea from the late 1800's. A single plant was rediscovered around 1990 in the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Seeds were collected and successful germination and propagation occurred. When they returned to the only known living wild plant, it had been destroyed by pigs. Luckily they were able to propagate this species and we were fortuante to help plant some within the Refuge.