Ama’u

Ama’u

cover image of ama'u

Names

  • ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Ama’u
  • Scientific: Sadleria pallida

Conservation Status

  • NatureServe Heritage Rank G3 – Vulnerable

Species Information

Ama’u is endemic to Hawai’i and is part of the Blechnaceae family. The fronds grow up to about 1 m (3.5 ft) long. It is a terrestrial, medium-sized fern with rhizomes decumbent to erect, up to 4 m long, branching.

Distribution

Ama’u is found on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Maui, and Hawai’i.

Habitat

Ama’u grows in recent lava flows, closed-canopy wet forests, or on open, rainy, windswept ridges.

Threats

  • Competition with alien invasive species
  • Trampling and consumption by feral ungulates

References & Additional Resources

“Sadleria Pallida.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The University of Texas at Austin, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAPA11.

Photos

image of ama'u
image of ama'u
image of ama'u
image of ama'u
image of ama'u