Kadua lichtlei
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Kadua lichtlei faces severe threats from invasive plant species that outcompete this endemic Hawaiian shrub for resources and habitat space. Habitat degradation from feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, has destroyed much of its native forest understory environment. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the moist forest conditions this species requires for survival.
Habitat
Kadua lichtlei inhabits moist to wet native forests in the Hawaiian Islands, typically growing in the understory of ohia-dominated ecosystems. This endemic shrub requires the humid microclimate conditions found in intact native forest communities at mid to high elevations.