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Ischaemum byrone

Ischaemum byrone, commonly known as Hilo murainagrass or Hilo ischaemum, is a species of grass native to the Pacific Islands, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaiian Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Society Islands, Tonga, Tubuai Islands, and Wallis and Futuna.[2] In Hawaii it is found on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii but has unfortunately been extirpated from Oahu, where it was once known to grow.[1] There are perhaps 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining in total.[1]

This grass is perennial, spreading via stolons, with stems reaching up to 80 centimetres (31 in) in maximum height.[1] It usually grows at the coastline, often in cracks in the lava cliffs.[3]

On the island of Hawaii, there are at least four populations and perhaps more scattered occurrences. At least one large occurrence has been recently destroyed by a lava flow at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.[4] There are at least five occurrences on Kauai and six on Maui with up to several thousand plants existing.[4] On Molokai, a 1994 count estimated about 1000 individuals.[4]

Threats to this species include volcanism, development, trampling, non-native plants, fire, and off-road vehicles.[1]

I. byrone flowering

References

  1. ^ a b c d e I. byrone. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. ^ a b "Ischaemum byrone (Trin.) Hitchc". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  3. ^ I. byrone. Colorado State.
  4. ^ a b c USFWS. I. byrone Five-year Review. August 2010.