Draft:Clermontia hanaulaensis

Clermontia hanaulaensis
Clermontia hanaulaensis is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clermontia, which is part of the family Campanulaceae or bellflower family. This species is endemic to Hawaii; it was discovered in forests of west Maui in 2020 by Hank Oppenheimer. Upon discovery, botanists ruled out the possibility of the plant being a hybrid of other Clermontia species.

Description
Clermontia hanaulaensis can reach heights of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet); It has lanceolate leaves, measuring approximately 5–16 centimeters in length and 2–5 centimeters in width. The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem and have serrated margins. The plant produces tubular flowers that are typically white or pale pink in color and are borne in clusters. Like other members of the Clermontia genus, it is known for its distinctive tubular flowers and is likely adapted for pollination by native Hawaiian birds.



Habitat and Distribution
The plant can grow as small shrub-like trees from 600 to 6,000 feet in elevation. An estimated 80 adult plants and 20 seedlings grow in an area about the size of 10 football fields. . This species is native to mesic wet forests on the windward slopes of East Maui, particularly in the Hanaula Valley area. It thrives in shaded environments with moist, well-drained soil

Conservation Status
Clermontia hanaulaensis is considered critically endangered. It faces significant threats from habitat destruction and invasive species .The remaining populations are small and fragmented, further exacerbating its vulnerability to extinction. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the species and its habitat. These efforts include habitat restoration, invasive species control, and propagation for outplanting in suitable areas

The species is threatened by plants, slugs, pigs and rats, which may eat its seeds and fruit. Axis deer on Maui also pose a threat. A natural disaster (eg. fire or hurricane) could also wipe out the plant’s population. The new plant may also lack any pollinators. They are usually pollinated by native birds, however, no native birds are known to be present at the elevation where the population of Clermontia hanaulaensis resides. This is due to mosquitos, which spread avian malaria.

Etymology
The specific epithet hanaulaensis refers to the Hanaula Valley, where this species is predominantly found

Taxonomy
Clermontia, with 22 species, are the most common of Hawaiian lobelioids. Unlike Cyanea, which are typically found in dense forest, Clermontia are frequently found in more open areas and edges, and therefore persist better when forests become fragmented. Clermontia is a very important host plant for many species such as Drosophila silvestris. The larvae of Drosophilidae flies breed in the rotting bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit of all lobelioids, but primarily Clermontia since it is largest and most common. Several species of these native plants, especially on the Big Island, are epiphytic.

Clermontia species


 * section Clermontia: calyx lobes similar to petals
 * Clermontia calophylla* F.Wimmer - ʻŌhā wai nui (Kohala, Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia drepanomorpha* Rock - ʻŌhā wai (Kohala, Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia grandiflora† Gaudich. - ʻŌhā wai (Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui)
 * Clermontia hawaiiensis (Hillebr.) Rock - ʻŌhā kēpau (Puna and Kaʻū on Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia hanaulaensis* - ʻŌhā wai (west Maui)
 * Clermontia kakeana Meyen - ʻŌhā wai (Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui)
 * Clermontia kohalae Rock - ʻŌhā wai (Kohala and Hāmākua on Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia lindseyana* Rock - ʻŌhā wai (Hawaiʻi, east Maui)
 * Clermontia micrantha (Hillebr.) Rock - ʻŌhā wai (Lānaʻi, west Maui)
 * Clermontia montis-loa Rock - ʻŌhā wai (Hilo, Puna, and Kaʻū on Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia multiflora Hillebr. - ʻŌhā wai (Oʻahu†, west Maui†)
 * Clermontia oblongifolia* Gaudich. - ʻŌhā wai (Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui)
 * Clermontia pallida Hillebr. - ʻŌhā wai (Molokaʻi)
 * Clermontia parviflora Gaudich. ex A.Gray - ʻŌhā wai (windward Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia persicifolia Gaudich. - ʻŌhā wai (Oʻahu)
 * Clermontia samuelii* C.N.Forbes - ʻŌhā wai (east Maui)
 * section Clermontioideae: calyx lobes short, green
 * Clermontia arborescens (H.Mann) Hillebr. - ʻŌhā wai nui (Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui)
 * Clermontia clermontioides (Gaudich.) A.Heller (Kaʻū and Kona Districts on Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia fauriei H.Lév - Hāhāʻaiakamanu (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu)
 * Clermontia peleana* Rock (Hawaiʻi, Maui?)
 * Clermontia pyrularia* - ʻŌhā wai (Hawaiʻi)
 * Clermontia tuberculata* - ʻŌhā wai (Maui)
 * Clermontia waimeae* - ʻŌhā wai (Hawaiʻi)

† species believed to be extinct

* species is listed Endangered

[List generated by https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1513734-Clermontia-hanaulaensis]