CR

Cyanea crispa

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Cyanea crispa faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, which trample and consume native vegetation in Hawaiian montane forests. Invasive plant species compete directly with this endemic bellflower for resources and alter soil chemistry. The species' extremely limited range on Maui makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while climate change threatens to shift suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' current elevational limits.

Threat summary

Habitat

Cyanea crispa is endemic to montane wet forests on the Hawaiian island of Maui, typically found in native ohia-dominated ecosystems at elevations between 1,200-1,800 meters. The species requires the humid, shaded understory conditions characteristic of Hawaii's native mesic to wet forests.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

Other threatened species in CAMPANULACEAE

EN

Clermontia grandiflora

Declining
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Cyanea copelandii

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VU

Siphocampylus siberiensis

Unknown
Brighamia rockiiCR

Brighamia rockii

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Threatened in United States

VU

Lepiota echinella

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VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

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VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

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EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cyanea crispa classified as Critically Endangered?
Cyanea crispa is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Cyanea crispa faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, which trample and consume native vegetation in Hawaiian montane forests. Invasive plant species compete directly with this endemic bellflower for resources and alter soil chemistry. The species' extremely limited range on Maui makes it vulnerable to stochastic events, while climate change threatens to shift suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' current elevational limits.
Where does Cyanea crispa live?
Cyanea crispa occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cyanea crispa?
The main threats to Cyanea crispa are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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