In 2020, botanist Hank Oppenheimer looked over a ridge in the high forests of West Maui and noticed a flowering plant he didn’t recognize. After analysis by botanists across the state, the plant has officially been designated a new species as of September 28th, 2023, found only in Hawai’i: Clermontia hanaulaensis.
This exciting discovery highlights the power of islands to foster unique endemic species that are found nowhere else: the patch Oppenheimer discovered is currently its only known population, with only 100 individuals. Island Conservation got the opportunity to ask Oppenheimer, the Maui Nui Coordinator of the Plant Extinction Prevention Program, about this discovery and its significance!

About the Plant Extinction Prevention Program

Initiated by the Hawai’i Rare Plant Recovery Group at the University of Mānoa, the PEPP’s mission is to protect Hawai`i’s rarest plants from extinction. We are committed to reversing the trend toward extinction by managing wild plants, collecting seeds and establishing new populations. We focus on species that have fewer than 50 plants remaining, collaborating with conservation partners who have a shared interest in preserving Hawai`i’s unique biodiversity.

Q&A with Hank Oppenheimer

What are you looking for on your routine surveys? How often do you conduct them?

Hank Oppenheimer: To be honest, there aren’t really routine surveys. Our schedule is extremely fluid based on program needs, such as outplanting nursery stock that needs to be outplanted before it gets too large or rootbound; collecting seeds from individuals not yet sampled when their phenology is known; continuing threat abatement such as weed control, slug control, rat control; ungulate exclosure fence inspection, repair or construction.

But we are always on the lookout for anything different, whether a new population of a rare plant, a new weed, or species some of our partners work with such as snails and birds.

Survey work may be done as time allows while conducting other activities. We also do targeted day trips or longer multi-day camping trips to search for new individuals/populations or in areas that have no biological data, or historic locations where species presumed extinct may still be extant.

What are the characteristics of the Clermonita genus?

Hank Oppenheimer: Well, the most obvious trait, even when plants are not flowering, is the distinct branching structure. It has been called candelabra-like and is very similar to Plumeria, with which it also shares a milky white sap when damaged. However, Plumeria and Clermontia are in different families.

What did you first notice about Clermonita hanaulaensis that was different from other species?

Hank Oppenheimer: The size and color of the flowers. If I had not been there when they were flowering it would have been easy to assume they may have belonged to another species; there are several in the area.

How do you and other experts use taxonomic tools and methods to identify and classify endemic plants in Hawai’i? Why is it important to classify them?

Hank Oppenheimer: First, it must be compared to known species. This involves researching the peer-reviewed literature for previously published taxa. Digital images are easy to share and circulate to get other knowledgeable botanists’ opinions. Studies at herbaria such as Bishop Museum, National Tropical Botanical Garden and Smithsonian Institution of previously collected material is also imperative.

It is increasingly important to document Hawai`i’s unique biodiversity before it disappears, and in doing so it helps gain support to preserve these species and their habitats.

Hawai’i has many endemic species. How do endemic plants reflect the evolutionary history and biogeography of Hawai’i?

Hank Oppenheimer: There is continuing study of where the original colonist came from, how they reached these islands, how long ago those dispersal events occurred, etc. Also the interaction between the pollinators and dispersal agents such as birds, moths, flies, bees and other insects most of which are also endemic to Hawai`i, a single island, or a single volcano and may also be new to science, rare, and in need of conservation action.

What are the challenges and benefits of conserving endemic plants in Hawai’i?

Hank Oppenheimer: The challenges are many, but not unsurmountable. Some of the obstacles are long-term funding, recruiting, training, and retaining personnel whether field staff, horticulturists, etc. Some of the challenges are related to the long-term storage of material as a back- up safety net, or identifying soil fungus that are necessary for species of orchids for example. Propagation of our ferns as well as the storage of their spores is another understudied area. Other issues are logistical such as access via helicopter, bad weather, breeding systems (male & female flowers on different plants in separate areas for one example), competing with other program needs, etc.

Benefits often depend on your personal beliefs. These species have a right to exist, don’t they? Are they of no value if they are not edible, or not a cure for Malady X?

Ultimately, they are part of the ecosystems and biotic communities that provide the water that sustains us. They also have immeasurable cultural importance to Native Hawaiians.

Island Endemic Species

Islands are known biodiversity hotspots, but their richness is under threat from invasive species that outcompete or predate on native species. Island Conservation works around the world to protect rare and important island ecosystems like the one that fostered Clermontia hanaulaensis. Turn your love of plants and the natural world in to action by supporting us in restoring and rewilding islands today!