Several Hawaiian plant species newly discovered, rediscovered during Native Plant Month
Discovery of five new plant species and rediscovery of several other species previously thought to be lost are detailed in the new “Rare Plant Program 2025 Island Highlights” report, giving Hawaiian plant enthusiasts a lot to celebrate during April’s Native Plant Month observance.
The report was produced by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife Rare Plant Program and Plant Extinction Prevention Program, a collaboration of the state Land Department and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.
New Discoveries
The five new species were discovered on Kauaʻi during remote explorations by Plant Extinction Prevention Program and National Tropical Botanical Garden.
They were formally announced in 2025.
These plants are found nowhere else on Earth. Some, such as Lysimachia barcae a delicate shrub with a stunning purple flower, have fewer than a dozen individuals known to exist.
Rediscoveries
Five species on Lānaʻi were rediscovered after decades with no sightings, and botanists feared these plants might no longer be alive.
A species of haʻiwale was found for the first time since 1943 on Oʻahu.
Individuals of two critically rare species of ʻoha wai and makou were found on the Big Island. Botanists were previously aware of just one remaining individual of this species of ʻoha wai in the wild, and no remaining wild individuals of the rediscovered species of makou.
“We celebrate Native Plant Month every year in April, but this year is special,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife Botanist Matt Keir in a release about the discoveries and rediscoveries. “Discovering new species and expanding what we know about Hawaiian plants means that there is literally more to celebrate.”
The annual report also highlights many of the challenges faced by Hawaiʻi native plants, including presence of hoofed animals and infestations of coconut rhinoceros beetles on multiple species of loulu.
Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Plant Extinction Prevention Program and partner groups are deploying new tools, including drones that can be used for remote monitoring, to advance plant conservation work and the collection of plant specimens.
Pritchardia bakeri, DOFAW staff working with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program on Oʻahu shown holding loulu fruit. PC: Susan Ching, Oʻahu Division of Forestry and Wildlife via DLNR- Geniostoma imadaetOn Kauaʻi, a plant of a newly described species named after local botanist Clyde Imada with a single orange flower. PC: Adam Williams, Kauaʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife via DLNRt
- Pritchardia maidenianatDOFAW staff working with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program on Hawaiʻi Island collecting from a loulu.PC: Jodie Rosam, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund via DLNR
- Clermontia pyrulariatDOFAW staff working with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program on Hawaii Island standing next to a recently found plant of Clermontia pyrularia. Chelsea Ranan, Hawaiʻi Island Plant Extinction Prevention Program via DLNRt
- Kadua st-johnii. Dried fruit capsules of Kadua st-johnii, a rare species being restored on Kauaʻi. PC: Ken Wood, National Tropical Botanical Gardent via DLNR.
- Cyrtandra waiolan.itA flowering plant of the recently rediscovered Cyrtandra waiolani on Oʻahu. PC: Susan Ching, Oʻahu Division of Forestry and Wildlife via DLNR
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