Endemic to Kauai and endangered. This plant is another member of the Silversword Alliance - a group of 3 endemic genera, 28 species and numerous variations, subspecies and hybrids which evolved from a single species in the Hawaiian Islands. The wild plants have become increasingly rare so it was a pleasure to see one in the garden!
Dwarf iliauAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai only)IUCN: Critically EndangeredKauai (Cultivated)Some who have read the book or seen the animation movie, like to call this plant the Lorax tree, after Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax."Closeupwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5491199904/in/datetaken-...EtymologyThe generic name Wilkesia is named in for Captain Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), a commander of the United States Exploring Expedition.The specific name hobdyi is named after its discoverer and botanist Robert Hobdy, a resident of Maui.See Wilkesia hobdyi at:nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wilkesia_gymnoxiphium
Endemic to Kauai and endangered. This plant is another member of the Silversword Alliance - a group of 3 endemic genera, 28 species and numerous variations, subspecies and hybrids which evolved from a single species in the Hawaiian Islands. The wild W. hobdyi plants have become increasingly rare so it was a pleasure to see one in the garden!
Endemic to Kauai and endangered. This plant is another member of the Silversword Alliance - a group of 3 endemic genera, 28 species and numerous variations, subspecies and hybrids which evolved from a single species in the Hawaiian Islands. The wild W. hobdyi plants have become increasingly rare so it was a pleasure to see one in the garden!
Dwarf iliauAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai only)IUCN: Critically EndangeredKauai (Cultivated)Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5491200610/in/datetaken-...Some who have read the book or seen the animation movie, like to call this plant the Lorax tree, after Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax."EtymologyThe generic name Wilkesia is named in for Captain Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), a commander of the United States Exploring Expedition.The specific name hobdyi is named after its discoverer and botanist Robert Hobdy, a resident of Maui.See Wilkesia hobdyi at:nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wilkesia_gymnoxiphium
Summary[edit] Description: Dwarf iliau Asteraceae Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauaʻi only) Endangered Kauaʻi (Cultivated) Pua kala (Argemone glauca) is pictured center right. Regarding this plant: Even with the toxic background, the early Hawaiians used the bright yellow sap (latex) and seeds medicinally for toothache pain, neuralgia (nerve pain), and ulcers. The sap only was used for warts. See Wilkesia hobdyi at: nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wilkesia_gymnoxiphium See Argemone glauca at: nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Argemone_glauca. Date: 1 March 2011, 12:10. Source: Wilkesia hobdyi Uploaded by Tim1357. Author: David Eickhoff from Pearl City, Hawaii, USA.