Revised check-list of vascular plants, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Abstract

The following list is part of a manifold approach to identifying the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park plant populations, determining which are endemic and which exotic, and go on to developing an understanding of why some of the former are rare or endangered species. After completion of both the present text and the text for Vol. 1, no. 1, of the serial Allertonia, Rare and Endangered Species of Hawaiian Vascular Plants by Drs. F. R. Fosberg and Derral Herbst, permission was given by Dr. Fosberg for the insertion of an asterisk, *,in front of these species in the following list which are also listed in the Allertonia publication. Determining the status of these plants in the Park so designated in the list by asterisks thus becomes of prime importance. Some may prove to be neither rare nor endangered. Precautions are wise in considering varieties and forms, some of which are rare and have not been recognized in the Park as yet. It is anticipated that ultimately management practices will result that will facilitate the Park Service's achieving its objectives in respect to protection and interpretation. Throughout the work of the UH/CPS-unit and even before, Dr. Fosberg has been the principal taxonomist associated with this work in the Park, though several others have participated very vigorously and effectively. Four from the University of Hawaii must be mentioned individually. Among them first would be Dr. Charles H. Lamoureux and secondly the currently unfinished floristic activity of Dr. William Theobald. The basic preparation of the present list and changes in it through various stages of editing have been the work of Ms. G. Virginia Carey of the Hawaii IBP project directed by Dr. Dieter Mueller-Dombois. A large number of graduate students and others are constantly making contributions to our knowledge of t he plants of the Park and it is anticipated distribution of the present list will stimulate these activities. At one time it had been planned to include a check-list of the ferns but that is not possible at this time.