Melanthera waimeaensis

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Asterales

Familia: Asteraceae
Subfamilia: Asteroideae
Tribus: Heliantheae
Subtribus: Ecliptinae
Genus: Melanthera
Species: Melanthera waimeaensis
Name

Melanthera waimeaensis (H.St.John) W.L.Wagner & H.Rob.
References

Brittonia; a Series of Botanical Papers. New York, NY 53:555. 2002 ("2001")
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Melanthera waimeaensis in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Melanthera waimeaensis (formerly Lipochaeta waimeaensis)[2] is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Waimea Canyon nehe. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai.[1] It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.

This perennial herb produces daisylike yellow flower heads. It only grows on steep slopes along the rim of Waimea Canyon on Kauai, where there are about 180 plants remaining.[2]

The main threat to the species is the loss and degradation of its habitat. Most of the land on which it grows has been taken over by non-native plants.[1] It is also threatened by erosion caused by the activity of feral goats.[1] The plants are eaten by mice, rats, and the spittle bug Claspoptera xanthocephala.[2]
References

Lipochaeta waimeaensis. The Nature Conservancy.
USFWS. Lipochaeta waimeaensis Five-year Review. August 2010.