An Amazing Discovery in Hawaii Has Given Renewed Hope to a Plant Species Considered Extinct

The discovery of a plant species in Hawaii that was previously believed to be extinct in the wild but is now carefully grown in a hidden spot is inspiring renewed confidence that efforts to preserve biodiversity on the islands will continue.

Hawaii's rare plants

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

An amazing variety of unusual plants can be found on the Hawaiian Islands. Currently, it is thought that the State of Hawai'i is home to 1,400 vascular plant taxa including species, subspecies, and variations, about 90% of which are unique to the state, as per hawaii.gov.

The native biota of Hawai'i is extremely vulnerable to changes in its ecosystems despite its incredible diversity and high rates of endemism, and many species have fallen since the arrival of people, the clearing of land for agricultural purposes, and the introduction of non-native plants and animals.

More than 100 plant species have already been extinct, and more than 200 are thought to have only 50 or fewer individuals left in the wild. As a result, Hawai'i is now frequently referred to as the Endangered Species Capital of the World.

Officially, the Federal and State governments have listed 366 of the Hawaiian plant taxa as Endangered or Threatened, while an additional 48 species have been proposed for endangerment.

Hawai'i is home to 44% of the country's Endangered and Threatened plant species, although making up less than 1% of the country's total geographical area.

Hawaiian plants once extinct but currently thriving in a secret location

Originally from Hawaii, the blossoming Delissea argutidentata plant was last observed in a volcano crater in the 1970s. As per Sustainability Times.

However, notes from a 50-year-old plant pressing made available to researchers stated there were only three plants left and no regeneration, probably as a result of the land being used for grazing cattle.

They were once frequently found growing in the shade of enormous koa trees and along the slopes of ancient volcanoes.

A single plant was discovered in the Puu Waawaa forest reserve in 1992, but it perished in 2002. The Delissea, a palm-like tree with top-cluster flowers that can reach a height of ten meters, was propagated using some of the seeds that were saved.

There had been no more sightings up until last year, and it was assumed that it had vanished from the wild. But when the plant was discovered in March 2021 on property that is now controlled by the Kamehameha Schools district, immediate action was taken to safeguard the species.

The plant was located and protected with assistance from the Three Mountain Alliance (TMA) and the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

30 healthy plants are already flourishing thanks to the seeds that have been saved from the recently found one. In order to support Delissea's success and reestablish itself in the wild without drawing notice from the public, they are growing in a place that is kept secret.

The TMA employee who initially discovered the plant was gathering seeds from other species in anticipation of using them for another restoration project.

The Delissea was discovered growing on a Sophora chrysophylla (mmane, in Hawaiian), a tree with flowers like a shrub. Next to a former, fenced-in space used by a prior renter, it appeared to be three distinct plants.

The organizations stated in a joint news release this week that the enclosure revealed the ruins of a larger individual plant. Staff members from all three organizations have made steps over the past year to safeguard the genetics of the few remaining plants and to conserve their small population.