Cyanea magnicalyx
Based on recent DNA studies it is believed that a single member of the Lobelia family arrived in Hawaii or what is now the northwestern Hawaiian islands as long ago as 13 million years. This species eventually formed into six genus, five of which are endemic to Hawaii and over 125 species, all of which are found nowhere else on earth. The genus Cyanea being the largest with more than seventy species is rarely encountered and can vary extremely in its morphology. This fern like species is found only in the West Maui Mountains. Even though most Cyanea's are on the endangered species list this is one of the rarest in the wild with fewer than five individuals known. To see my Cyanea photo's go here.