Three-Flower Labordia

Description

Labordia triflora Hillebr. is resurrected as a species distinct from L. tinifolia A. Gray based on its rediscovery on the island of Moloka'i in the Hawaiian Islands. It differs from L. tinifolia in its scandent habit, cordate leaf base, shorter petioles, slightly larger flowers and fruits, and fewer flowers per inflorescence on pistillate plants. Labordia triflora is endemic to Moloka'i, whereas L. tinifolia occurs on all major islands in the archipelago. The two taxa maintain allopatric populations on Moloka'i that are isolated by the physical and spatial barriers of a mountain range. Distinct morphology and allopatric distributions of the two taxa support resurrection of L. triflora as a separate speCIes.