Dubautia kalalauensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the island of Kauai. There is only a single known population composed of 26 plants. The Nature Conservancy. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.USFWS. Determination of endangered status for 48 species on Kauai and designation of critical habitat; Final rule. Federal Register April 13, 2010. pg 18965. Like other Dubautia this plant is known as na`ena`e.USFWS. Species Reports: Listed Plants.
This member of the silversword alliance was part of Dubautia laxa until 2005, when it was separated and described as a new species.Baldwin, B. G. and G. D. Carr. (2005). Dubautia kalalauensis, a new species of the Hawaiian Silversword Alliance (Compositae, Madiinae) from northwestern Kaua'i, U.S.A. Novon 15:2 259-63. The population grows in wet mountain forest habitat in the understory of ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees in Kalalau Valley on Kauai.
This plant is a shrub or tree with oppositely arranged leaves and flower heads which contain green-tinged cream-colored flowers.
References