Bonamia menziesii explained

Bonamia menziesii, commonly known as Hawaiʻi lady's nightcap, is a species of flowering plant in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It is a vine or twisting liana with branches that can reach 10m (30feet) in length. Hawaiʻi lady's nightcap inhabits steep slopes and level ground in dry, coastal mesic, mixed mesic, and, sometimes, wet forests at elevations of 150-.

Scattered populations exist on most main islands, but the total number of individuals remaining is probably fewer than 1000.[1]

The plant is threatened by habitat loss.[2] Habitat has been destroyed or degraded by development, fires, exotic plant species, and agriculture.[1] Military exercises damage part of the critical habitat on Oahu.[3] Feral pigs, goats, cattle, sheep and deer eat the plant and trample the habitat.[3] The non-native sweet potato bug (Physomerus grossipes) has been noted to feed on the plant.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Bonamia+menziesii The Nature Conservancy
  2. Web site: Bonamia menziesii . CPC National Collection Plant Profiles . Center for Plant Conservation . 2006-01-31 . 2009-11-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028114543/http://centerforplantconservation.org/Collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=606 . 2010-10-28 .
  3. USFWS. Five Year Review: Bonamia menziesii. August 27, 2010.