Resurrection of a Kaua'i Stenogyne: S. kealiae

Abstract

Recent discovery of a population of plants referable to Stenogyne kealia e, which was treated as a synonym of the widespread Kaua'i species, S. purpur ea, has provided new information that shows that it is a distinct species. It differs from S. purpurea primarily by its coriaceous leaves that are weakly revolute near the margins, with the margins subentire to weakly serrate or crenate-serrate in the upper half, sometimes nearly to the base, and the lower surface glabrous. This distinctive morphology coupled with sympatric occurrence of S. kealiae and S. purpurea without evidence of hybridization indicate their distinction as separate species and that extrinsic or intrinsic barriers seem to prevent hybridization between them.