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Elatostema tutuilense Whistler [ Urticaceae ]

Taxonomy Reports: ITIS | IPNI | IOPI

Samoan Name:
English Name:
Status: Indigenous
Habit: Herb

Endemic to American Samoa, where it has been found only on Tutuila. This small low herb is known only from a single collection made in 1894 in the Matafao river basin, which lies just west of Pago Pago. It may now be extinct, but the area above Faga‘alu should be checked. It is recommended for a threatened or endangered status because of its extreme rarity (if it still exists). It was already listed as a “species of concern” by the USFWS (Anon. 1998).

No description available.

Distinguishable by its small, low-growing terrestrial herb habit; tiny linear stipules; simple, alternate, deeply pinnately lobed leaves less than 2 cm long; and tiny green flowers and fruits. Two other species of this genus occur on Tutuila: it can be distinguished from E. scabriusculum, which has larger (2–5 mm long), ovate to lanceolate rather than linear stipules; it can be distinguished from E. samoense, which does not have deeply lobed leaves.

TUTUILA:
137. Reinecke 590—Matafao river basin, on old trunks or forming patches on the ravine walls.

Other Collections:

Georeference: -14.315569, -170.701986

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