Jablonski et al. 2024 (Article) Hawai, Naturalized

New island records of Werauhia (Bromeliaceae) on Kaua‘i and Maui

Author(s):—J. Jablonski, A.M. Williams & H. Oppenheimer

Corresponding email:—jcjab@hawaii.edu

Publication:—Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 156: 191–197 (online). (2024)

Abstract:—We report range extensions for two Werauhia (Bromeliaceae) species in Hawai‘i: W. gladioliflora on Kaua‘i and W. sanguinolenta on Maui. Werauhia gladioliflora was discovered naturalizing in a disturbed forest area on the Kuilau Ridge Trail in the Līhue-Kōloa Forest Reserve, Kauaʻi. Herbarium vouchers were acquired on a return visit after ascending host trees with climbing gear, providing the first documentation for the species on Kauaʻi. Werauhia sanguinolenta was documented as naturalized in East Maui in two separate locations, also a new island record for that species. The taxonomy and ecological implications for these species is briefly discussed. Online public observations of visually similar bromeliads on iNaturalist suggests that there are many additional populations of this genus naturalizing on all main islands, and we hope to encourage further collection and documentation.