Panicum niihauense

Panicum niihauense is a rare species of grass known by the common names lau 'ehu and Niihau panicgrass. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it has been found on the islands of Niihau and Kauai. It has not been observed on Niihau since 1949, and there are fewer than 40 individuals remaining on Kauai, not counting a few individuals that have been deliberately planted in appropriate habitat.[2] The grass is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Panicum niihauense

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Panicum
Species:
P. niihauense
Binomial name
Panicum niihauense

The only naturally occurring specimens of the grass grow in Polihale State Park.[2] There they grow on sand dunes and they are threatened by the use of off-road vehicles.[1] The habitat is also impacted by the invasion of non-native plants such as Chloris barbata (swollen fingergrass), Leucaena leucocephala (haole koa), Prosopis pallida (kiawe), Atriplex semibaccata (Australian saltbush), and Verbesina encelioides (golden crown-beard).[2]

References
  1. Panicum niihauense. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. USFWS. Panicum niihauense Five-year Review. January 2008.
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