Lysimachia maxima

Lysimachia maxima is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae known by the common name Pelekunu Trail yellow loosestrife.[1] It is endemic to Hawaii, where there are only two small populations remaining on the island of Molokai.[2] It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.

Lysimachia maxima
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Primulaceae
Genus:	Lysimachia
Species:	L. maxima
Binomial name
Lysimachia maxima (R.Knuth) H.St.John

This is a shrub with sprawling branches lined with leaves growing in clusters of three. The solitary flowers are purple in color.[3] The plant grows only in the wet forests of the Pelekunu Mountains of Molokai. The most recent surveys revealed a total of twenty individuals, ten in each of the two populations.[2]

The plant is threatened by the invasion of introduced species of animals such as feral pigs and feral goats, and plants such as Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta) in its habitat.[2] The plant is vulnerable because of its small numbers; a single event could conceivably cause its extinction.[2]

Officials have released the leaf-eating insect Lius poseidon into the habitat as an agent of biological pest control against Koster's curse. It is too early to determine how successful this effort has been.[2]