Schiedea implexa

Description:

Auwahi schiedea*Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Maui only)Presumed extinct, but may still be extant because its specific habitat has not been search in recent decades. Notes made by Joseph Rock, who last collected it in 1910, suggest that S. implexa may be restricted entirely to vertical cliffs, which are nearly impossible to search thoroughly. (Systematic Botany Monographs, Vol. 72, Monographs of Schiedea, W. Wagner, S. Weller, A. Sakai, 3/5/05)Schiedea is a Hawaiian endemic genus of 34 species--all of which are considered vulnerable, rare, or endangered, with a few extinct.EtymologyThe generic name Schiedea is named in honor of Christian J. Schiede (1798-1836), German-born physician who collected in Mexico.The specific epithet implexa means tangled, interlaced._____* Some reputable sources use Auwahi schiedea for the vernacular or common name of this species.