Cyrtandra elbertii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Cyrtandra elbertii faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its limited montane forest range. The species is particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that alter forest understory conditions, disrupting the specialized microhabitat requirements typical of Hawaiian Cyrtandra species. Agricultural expansion and urban development continue to fragment remaining suitable habitat patches.
Habitat
This endemic Hawaiian plant inhabits mesic to wet montane forests, typically growing in shaded understory environments with high humidity and consistent moisture. It occurs in native forest communities dominated by koa and ohia trees at elevations between 600-1,500 meters.