Wikstroemia johnplewsii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Wikstroemia johnplewsii faces severe habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Hawaii. The species is particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry. Feral ungulates, especially pigs and goats, cause significant damage through trampling and browsing of remaining populations.
Habitat
This endemic Hawaiian shrub inhabits dry to mesic forests and shrublands on volcanic slopes, typically at elevations between 300-1,200 meters. It grows in well-drained soils among native plant communities that have become increasingly fragmented.