Poa mannii
Photo: (c) Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Overview
Poa mannii is a rare species of grass known by the common names Mann's bluegrass and Olokele Gulch bluegrass. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is limited to the island of Kauai. It is threatened by the loss and modification of its habitat. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Poa mannii faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its restricted high-altitude range. The species is particularly vulnerable to grazing pressure from livestock and invasive plant species that alter the delicate alpine ecosystem structure. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force alpine species to migrate to higher elevations, potentially eliminating suitable habitat entirely.
Habitat
Poa mannii is endemic to high-altitude alpine grasslands and rocky slopes, typically found in montane regions above 3,000 meters elevation. The species requires well-drained soils and cool, moist conditions characteristic of alpine meadow ecosystems.
Other threatened species in POACEAE
Threatened in United States
Frequently asked questions
Why is Poa mannii classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Poa mannii live?
What are the main threats to Poa mannii?
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