Native Plants of Hawai‘i - Lipochaeta lobata

Lipochaeta lobata

subsp. leptophylla &

subsp. lobata

Asteraceae or Sunflower family [Five-minute families]

Synonyms:

For subsp. leptophylla: Lipochaeta lobata var. leptophylla

For subsp. lobata: Lipochaeta aprevalliana, Lipochaeta australis, Lipochaeta australis var. denticulata, Lipochaeta australis var. lobata, Lipochaeta calycosa, Lipochaeta christophersenii, Lipochaeta garberi, Lipochaeta hastulata, Lipochaeta kaenaensis, Lipochaeta lobata, Lipochaeta lobata var. albescens, Lipochaeta lobata var. aprevalliana, Lipochaeta lobata var. denticulata, Lipochaeta lobata var. grossedentata, Lipochaeta lobata var. hastulata, Lipochaeta lobata var. hastulatoides, Lipochaeta lobata var. hosakae, Lipochaeta niihauensis, Lipochaeta trilobata, Lipochaeta vittata, Lipotriche australis, Microchaeta lobata, Microchaeta lobata var. hastulata, Verbesina hastulata, Verbesina lobata

Nehe

Pa‘apa‘a‘ina (Ni‘ihau) See Hawaiian Name below

Shrubland nehe

Natural Range & Environment

There are two recognized subspecies of Lipochaeta lobata, the endangered subsp. lepotophylla and the more common subsp. lobata. [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. Subspecies lobata grows in dry coastal and lowland shrublands on Ni‘ihau, O‘ahu, and west Maui from sea level to (possibly) 400 m (1,312 ft) [Wagner et al. 1990]. (Note: I could not find any report of elevational range specifically for subsp. lobata. This is the range given by Wagner et al. [1990] for presumably both subspecies; however, see below.)

Subspecies lepotophylla is restricted to the Wai‘anae Mountains of O‘ahu, being found in lowland (460 to 760 m; 1,509 to 2,493 ft) mesic forests and on cliffs [ECOS]. When first federally listed as endangered in 1991, there were 25 to 50 known plants. In 2011, after additional surveys, the wild population was estimated to be about 350 plants within two populations. This number declined to 100 to 200 by 2019, and dramatically decreased to as little as six (observed) and at most about 100 (estimated) by 2024. Drought and landslides are suggested as possible reasons for the sharp decline in numbers. Since 2019, (about 5,000) seeds have been collected and stored in State and private facilities, and in 2020, a small population was established at Pahole (in the northern Wai‘anae Mountains) to facilitate seed collection and research. Additionally, this Pahole population and two wild subpopulations are currently protected from ungulates (primarily goats) by fencing [USFWS 2024 5-Year Review].

Nehe's abundant bright yellow daisy-like flowers is perhaps one of the best reasons to give this plant a try in spite of its cultivation challenges. The leaf shape of subspecies lobata can vary a lot given where you find it. For example, compare the wider leaves of this plant on O‘ahu with the thinner leaves of this plant (with surrounding grass) on Maui (Maui plant photograph courtesy of Kevin Faccenda CC BY 4.0.). Some nehe species have been found to hybridize, such as this cross between Lipochaeta lobata and Wollastonia integrifolia (syn: Melanthera integrifolia) (Photograph courtesy of G.D. Carr ©.). The endangered subspecies leptophylla (last photograph) is characterized by thin lance-shaped leaves closely spaced along its stems (Photograph courtesy of Kenneth R. Wood (NTBG) CC BY-NC 4.0.).

Description

Lipochaeta lobata is a small, often prostrate, slightly woody (at its base) perennial herb with a potential lifespan greater than five years but probably less than ten. Its leaves are two to four inches (5 to 10 cm) long and either lance-shaped to linear and closely spaced along the stem (subspecies leptophylla) or ovate (egg-shaped) to narrowly ovate and more distantly spaced along the stem (subspecies lobata). Leaves sometimes have lobes at their base. The leaf's surfaces are covered with small nearly-invisible hairs, and its margins are entirely to slightly serrated.

Lipochaeta lobata has perfect (bisexual) composite flowers that look like small (less than an inch [2.5 cm] across) yellow daisies with up to 15 outer ray florets (the things that look like petals) and up to 65 disk florets (the tiny flowers in the center). Wild nehe flower profusely after significant rains, while cultivated plants flower almost continuously or go through multiple cycles of flowering each year. Each pollinated floret develops into a tiny brown to black elongate achene (i.e., a dry single-seeded fruit).

The fact that nehe (Lipochaeta and Wollastonia species) can hybridize makes species identification and taxonomy difficult. While this hybridization is not terribly concerning for anyone growing cultivated plants in a private or public landscape, it is extremely important if you are interested in growing nehe for conservation or restoration outplantings. Therefore, avoid planting any nehe species in or near wild areas unless you have had a taxonomic expert verify its species' purity and identify the appropriate/compatible habitat.

Growth Requirements

General

In the late 1990s, many of us thought (myself [Koebele] included) that nehe might become the go-to native Hawaiian replacement for the popular and ubiquitous groundcover wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata; syn: Wedelia trilobata), an invasive herb from the tropical New World. It was not to be. Unfortunately, unlike wedelia, nehe is prone to infections by powdery mildew (see Pests & Diseases) which kills and blackens its leaves. This fungal disease is enhanced by the popular automated sprinkler systems that many of us use to water our landscapes; the regularly-wetted nehe leaves are the perfect food for powdery mildew. Additionally, nehe is a bit of a pest magnet, not only to sap-sucking insects like mealybugs, but also to chewing pests such as snails and slugs. With this disappointing preface, nehe, with its abundant bright yellow daisy-like flowers, is still a beautiful plant worthy of cultivation provided you’re willing to give it the proper growing conditions and care.

If this is your first time growing nehe, I recommend growing it in a container where you'll have more control over its environment and can protect it from or treat it for any pests or diseases. Later, if you like, you can produce one or more clones — cuttings root easily in perlite — and see if you can keep one alive in your landscape. I have never grown the subspecies leptophylla; therefore, the following advice is based on my experience with the subspecies lobata.

Nehe does best when placed in a site with full sunlight for all or most of the day. In deep shade, it will become lanky and rarely flower. In a container, use a media mix that drains water well. I have typically used a half-and-half mixture of sphagnum peat moss and black cinders.

Wild nehe live in dry environments. Therefore, avoid overwatering your nehe. Periodic waterings, where you keep the surface media dry most of the time seem to work best. When watering, avoid wetting your nehe's leaves and stems, which will encourage fungal diseases and spread their spores. In addition to intense sunlight, nehe can tolerate forgetful watering schedules (i.e., drought), limited salt spray, and strong winds (which actually might be helpful in keeping spider mites away).

Nehe are typically propagated from cuttings. Therefore, your nehe should begin producing flowers a few months after you acquire it, provided you grow it under the optimum conditions described above. Established containerized plants generally benefit from six-month applications of a balanced controlled-release fertilizer, or from a foliar feeding every couple of months with an organic or inorganic water-soluble fertilizer diluted to ⅓ to ½ the recommended strength. More prostrate forms of nehe tend to put out long stems, which makes it a good candidate for a hanging basket. However, trim back the extra-long stems with a hand pruner or scissors to encourage branching and a fuller appearance.

Pests and Diseases

The most common cause of death for cultivated nehe is powdery mildew infections. You can discourage these infections by keeping your nehe in a sunny dry site and never wetting the leaves or stems when watering. Even then, this fungus may get a foothold, and, therefore, you need to act quickly. If you see powdery mildew on your nehe: (1) move the plant to a sunnier and less humid location with better air circulation, (2) remove all the visibly infected leaves, (3) spray the infected plant with a solution of horticultural oil and baking soda, vinegar and water, neem oil, or wettable sulfur; however, do not use wettable sulfur in combination with any type of oil, and do not spray plants with any type of oil if the air temperature is over 90°F (32°C) or the plant will be exposed to direct sunlight for more than an hour after spraying; a late afternoon or early evening treatment is safest, (4) repeatedly spray your nehe (about once a week) until you no longer see any powdery mildew. These treatments will usually not save the infected leaves, etc., but will prevent the infection from spreading to healthy regions of the plant.

Nehe is also vulnerable to numerous sap-sucking pests, sometimes in a life-threatening way. The most common and serious pests are lace bugs, mealybugs, and spider mites. Common, but less damaging, are spittlebug infestations. These threats are manageable if your nehe is in a container and you act quickly. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for treatments.

Snails and slugs can quickly consume unprotected nehe. Therefore, growing your nehe in a container well above the ground (e.g., a hanging basket) will help keep it safe from these herbivores. Refer to the Pest & Diseases page for other ways to deal with snails and slugs.

Uses

Ancient Hawaiian

I was unable to find any recorded ancient uses of nehe. However, given that it is sometimes used today in lei-making, it seems reasonable that Hawaiians in the past also used it for this purpose.

Modern

Nehe flowers are sometimes used in lei-making [Maui Nui Botanical Gardens].

Special Features and Information

General

Asteraceae or the Sunflower family is a very large family with about 32,000 species in over 1,900 genera and competes with Orchidaceae as the largest plant family. It has a worldwide distribution from subpolar to tropical regions with species occupying many different habitats [WikipediA;Asteraceae].

Asteraceae are common in Hawai‘i with native species in the genera Adenostemma, Argyroxiphium, Artemisia, Bidens, Dubautia, Hesperomannia, Keysseria, Lipochaeta, Pseudognaphalium, Remya, Tetramolopium, Wilkesia, and Wollastonia [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands].

Today, there are 20 native Hawaiian species within the Lipochaeta-Wollastonia complex with six Lipochaeta species and 14 Wollastonia species; formerly all 20 were classified as Lipochaeta. All 20 species are endemic to Hawai‘i [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. The Lipochaeta species all have 30 chromosomes while the Wollastonia species have 52 chromosomes. Most botanists think that this difference in chromosome number is the result of an allopolyploid hybridization [Wagner et al. 1990].

Lipochaeta lobata subsp. lobata hybridizes with Wollastonia integrifolia at Kaʻena Point, Oʻahu. The hybrids produce nearly sterile seed [Wagner et al. 1990].

Hawaiian Name

There are 20 species within the Lipochaeta-Wollastonia complex (formerly all considered Lipochaeta), all of them being endemic to Hawai‘i [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. Wagner et al. [1990] and others use the Hawaiian name, nehe, for all these species. However, it's probably impossible now to know if pre-1778 Hawaiians used this single name for all or just some of the 20 species, or if other names, such as ko‘oko‘olau for Wollastonia perdita [Wagner et al. 1990], were used for different species within the complex.

Bishop Museum's Plants of Hawai‘i website credits St. John with the Ni‘ihau name pa‘apa‘a‘ina for Lipochaeta lobata subsp. lobata.

According to Pukui & Elbert [1986], in addition to being the name of the native Lipochaeta-Wollastonia species, nehe has multiple other meanings in the Hawaiian language. These include:

To rustle, as leaves or the sea; rumbling; groping with the hands, as in searching. Nehe lani, rumbling of thunder in the sky.
Taffeta, so called because it rustles (nehe). Nehe lau, brocaded taffeta.
Same as kī nehe (Bidens pilosa).
Some kinds of pond scums (Spirogyra spp.), a fine fresh-water algae, consisting of rows of single-celled filaments, each cell containing ribbonshaped spirals. Also called limu kala wai, līpalaʻō, līpālāwai, palaʻo, and pālāwai.

Etymology

Lipochaeta is possibly derived from two Greek words or sufixes, lipo-, meaning "grease-, oil-, fat-" [Gledhill 2008], and chaeta or chaeto-, meaning "bristle, seta" or relating to "hair" in some way [Merriam-Webster]. Wagner et al. [1990] note that "De Candolle (1836) segregated Lessing's Lipotriche austalis as a new genus, for which he created the name Lipochaeta."

The species and subspecies name, lobata, is the feminine form of the Latin word, lobatus, meaning "lobed" [Online Etymology Dictionary]. The subspecies name, leptophylla, means "fine- or slender-leaved" [Gledhill 2008].

BPK