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IC students (l-r) Erin Wood, Lillian Moller-Jacobs, and Tegan Fugate are shown unpacking seedlings of the endangered Hawaiian orchid upon arrival in Kauai in 2011. The seedlings where grown from seed in the lab at Illinois College and required three years to reach a size suitable for release.
Saving a U.S. Federally Endangered Hawaiian Orchid From Extinction
Saving a U.S. Federally Endangered Hawaiian Orchid From Extinction
Dating back to 2002, we have collaborated with specialists in Hawaii (Steve Perlman, Hank Oppenheimer) to cultivate one of North America’s rarest orchids, Peristylus (Platanthera) holochila. Fewer than 50 individual plants are thought to remain of this species in Hawaii scattered on three islands (Kauai, Molokai, Maui), and only one plant persists on Kauai. We are using various laboratory techniques in an effort to grow this species from seed here at Illinois College. A total of 85 seedlings were returned to Hawaii in March 2011 by three IC students, and some of these orchids have since flowered. Nevertheless, this species remains critically endangered and we continue to explore more effective ways to propagate this species from seed.
Our protocol for propagating this endangered species was published in European Journal Environmental Sciences co-authored by IC students. Another article, published in the Orchid Specialist Group Newsletter, describes how we have enlisted the help of IC alum, Doug Sutton (Springfield, IL) to help save this species.
Photo: Chris Young
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