Pilo

Kadua laxiflora, a member of the Rubiaceae (coffee) family, has smooth, usually erect stems 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) long that are woody at the base and four-angled or -winged. The leaves are opposite, thin in texture, elliptic to sometimes lance-shaped, and 8 to 18 cm (3 to 7 in) long and 2.5 to 6.5 cm (1 to 2.6 in) wide. Stipules (leaf-like appendages), which are attached to the slightly winged leaf stalks where they join and clasp the stem, are triangular, 5 to 14 mm (0.2 to 0.6 in) long with a point 4 to 11 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) long. Flowers are arranged in loose clusters up to 30 cm (1 ft) long at the ends of the stems and are either bisexual or female. The green hypanthium is top-shaped, 1 to 1.5 mm (0.05 in) long, with sepals 1.5 to 3 mm (0.06 to 0.1 in) long and1 to 2 mm (0.04 to 0.08 in) wide at the top. The greenish-white, fleshy petals are fused into a trumpet-shaped tube in 5 to 14 mm (0.2 to 0.6) long. Capsules are top-shaped and 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.1 in) long and 3 to 4 mm (0.1 in) in diameter.

The species historical range included Hawaii. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur.

Habitat Requirements

On west Maui at the back of Kauaula Valley, K. laxiflora occurs on seeping wet vertical basalt cliffs with Bidens spp. (kookoolau), Clermontia micrantha (oha wai), Lysimachia spp., Machaerina spp. (uki), Pteris lydgatei, and Tetramolopium capillare (pamakani) surrounded by Metrosideros polymorpha–Dicranopteris linearis montane wet forest with Boehmeria grandis (akolea), Cheirodendron spp., Coprosma spp. (pilo), Cyanea scabra (haha), Cyrtandra spp. (keokeo haiwale), Diplazium spp. (hoio), Dubautia spp. (naenae), Gunnera petaloidea (apeape), Hydrangea arguta, Kadua spp., Pipturus spp., and Touchardia latifolia (olona). On Lanai, at Hauola Gulch, K. laxiflora occurs in Metrosideros polymorpha–Dicranopteris linearis wet riparian and mesic forest with Cheirodendron trigynum (olapa), Clermontia grandiflora (oha wai), Cyanea. gibsonii (haha), Cyrtandra spp. (haiwale), Diplopterygium pinnatum (uluhe lau nui), Freycinetia arborea (ie ie), Hydrangea arguta (kanawao), Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Lobelia hypoleuca (kuhiaikamoowahie), Perrottetia sandwicensis (olomea), Pipturus albidus, Pittosporum confertiflorum (hoawa), Pneumatopteris sandwicensis (hoio kula), Sadleria spp. (amau), Scaevola chamissoniana, Selaginella spp., and Wikstroemia oahuensis. The habitat at east Kunoa Gulch is the same with additional associated native species including Ilex anomala (kawau), Pritchardia lanaiensis (loulu), and Viola lanaiensis. On Molokai, Kadua laxiflora occurs in Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia)–Dicranopteris linearis (uluhe) mesic forest with Clermontia pallida (oha wai), Cyanea mannii (haha), Cyrtandra macrocalyx (haiwale), Dodonaea viscosa (aalii), Leptecophylla tameiameiae (pukiawe), Lobelia dunbariae, Lysimachia remyi, Pipturus albidus (mamake), Pittosporum glabrum (hoawa), Pouteria sandwicensis (alaa), Psychotria spp. (kopiko), Scaevola chamissoniana (naupaka kuahiwi), Urera glabra (opuhe), Viola chamissoniana ssp. tracheliifolia (pamakani), Wikstroemia oahuensis (akia), and Xylosma hawaiiense (maua).

Food Habits

Movement / Home Range

Kadua laxiflora was once widely scattered on Lanai, west Maui, and Molokai. Currently, there are two populations at Iao Valley and Honokohau on west Maui, with no wild individuals known on Lanai or Molokai.

Reproductive Strategy

Kadua laxiflora has been observed flowering from February to May and fruiting from May to September.

Other

Distinguishing characteristics of Kadua laxiflora are its quadrangular or winged stems; the shape, size, and texture of its leaves; and its dry capsule which opens when mature.