Dubautia laevigata

Dubautia laevigata, commonly known as the smooth dubautia, is a species of Dubautia endemic to moderate elevations on the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii, United States. A member of the Silversword alliance, it only grows in the understory of mesic Hawaiian tropical rainforests. It is declining in population and is threatened by the spread of invasive species, with approximately 5500 individuals remaining.

Description

Dubuatia laevigata is a shrub that grows up to high with a compact woody stem. It has large, shiny green leaves long and wide. The margins of the leaves are serrate. Flowers are small and appear in clusters of 2–5, with yellow corollas, and mostly appear between December and August.

Distribution and habitat

Dubuatia laevigata is only found at medium elevations of in mesic wet forests on the island of Kauai. It is absent from the highest elevations of the Alaka'i plateau.