Niihau Panicgrass

Description

Panicum niihauense is a rare species of grass known by the common names lau 'ehu and Niihau panicgrass. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it has been found on the islands of Niihau and Kauai. It has not been observed on Niihau since 1949, and there are fewer than 40 individuals remaining on Kauai, not counting a few individuals that have been deliberately planted in appropriate habitat. The grass is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. The only naturally occurring specimens of the grass grow in Polihale State Park. There they grow on sand dunes and they are threatened by the use of off-road vehicles. The habitat is also impacted by the invasion of non-native plants such as Chloris barbata.