Here is some information that I thought might be interesting. The former species status of many has been reclassified into sub-species of S. ionantha. I believe this results from DNA testing on these plants which shows them to be sub-species rather than species in their own right. (Please tell me that I am not the only one who finds this stuff fascinating!!!) Old name vs. current name Saintpaulia amaniensis = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia brevipilosa = S. ionantha ssp. velutina Saintpaulia confusa = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia difficilis = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia diplotricha = S. ionantha ssp. ionantha var. diplotricha Saintpaulia grandifolia = S. ionantha ssp. grandifolia Saintpaulia grotei = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia intermedia = S. ionantha ssp. pendula Saintpaulia magungensis = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia magungensis var. minima = S. ionantha ssp. grotei Saintpaulia magungensis var. occidentalis = S. ionantha ssp. occidentalis Saintpaulia nitida = S. ionantha ssp. nitida Saintpaulia orbicularis = S. ionantha ssp. orbicularis Saintpaulia pendula = S. ionantha ssp. pendula Saintpaulia pendula var. kizarae = S. ionantha ssp. pendula Saintpaulia rupicola = S. ionantha ssp. rupicola Saintpaulia tongwensis = S. ionantha ssp. ionantha var. ionantha Saintpaulia velutina = S. ionantha ssp. velutina The genus is most closely related to Streptocarpus, with recent phylogenetic studies suggesting it has evolved directly from subgenus Streptocarpella. Linda

I thought you might be slipping the 'squirrel chimney cave shrimp' and the 'oval pigtoe' into the list just to test us, but I looked them up and they are real :~) Seriously, it's easy for people to be upset about the loss of something beautiful or large but it is the loss of small, normally unnoticed creatures that signal early bio-changes. I appreciate you posting this list and increasing everyone's awareness. The loss of any species can have a terrible effect up the food chain.

Australian tree ferns: Plant possible invasive concern by Carolyn Lucas West Hawaii Today clucas@westhawaiitoday.com Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:07 AM HST Though prized for its distinctive looks and rapid growth, the Australian tree fern is becoming an increasingly common and alarming fixture in Kona neighborhoods, according to a recent islandwide survey by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee's early detection crew. On the underside of its triangular fronds with lacy blades are millions of spores, which breezes -- as well as feral ungulates -- carry far and wide. This tree fern (Spahaeropteris or Cyathea cooperi) is already displacing native forests on Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Watersheds are also being choked. Such propagation is just beginning on the Big Island, said Page Else, spokeswoman for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee. "The tree fern crowds out our native hapuu, the mother of the forest. The soft fibers of the hapuu nurture young native seedlings of native plants like ohia and olapa," she said. "The Australian tree fern has a harder, scaled trunk which doesn't make a good home for seedlings. Consequently, the foreign plant can take over in our forests, changing the forest structure, lessening the number of native plants and decreasing the ability to capture water and provide good water quality in watersheds." It's no wonder that the Australian tree fern appears on a list of the most invasive plants in Hawaii, prepared by the Hawaii State Alien Species Coordinator and the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Officials urged people to not cultivate any of the listed species anywhere in Hawaii. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee recently issued an Australian tree fern alert, spreading awareness about the weed and hoping that residents will help prevent its spread. People should report tree ferns by calling the state pest hotline at 643-7378. Those who have purchased the popular ornamental but suffered buyer's remorse and now want to remove it can either snip the bud or cut down the tree fern and treat it with herbicide. "They should be aware that their tax dollars will be put to work combating the rapid growth of this plant in public watersheds as seeds spread out of their yard into other locations," Else said. Two years ago, the Kauai Watershed Alliance contracted the Nature Conservancy to coordinate a response to the invasive tree fern. Crews on foot are sent into valley uplands to remove plants at a cost of $365 per acre. Helicopters with herbicides spray in more remote, dangerous areas. The aerial spraying costs $560 per acre, Else said. James Leary, invasive weed specialist at University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical College Agriculture and Human Resources, has been experimenting with an innovative way to apply herbicide selectively to Australian tree ferns by using paintball guns with a special pesticide formulation. While people may be fond of the tree ferns, a wide variety of noninvasive alternatives, including the native hapuu, can be used as ornamentals. Because each yard is different, residents can visit a nursery and talk to an expert to find the best fit. Many nurseries -- including 15 on the Big Island -- agreed not to sell the tree fern after learning its potentially detrimental impact. For more information, call the Big Island Invasive Species Committee at 933-3345.

Hi Nathan, There are only 3 species of Fagraea in Australia. Information I have is that they need to be propagated from fresh seed. Cuttings could be tried also. However the information also says that none of them are generally cultivated which of course means that it is unlikely that you would get seed from a commercial source. You could try an advertisement in the 2 Australian Magazines, Gardening Australia, and Burke's Backyard. Their websites will give you contact information and costs. You may be lucky and someone will be able to send you a few seeds. The suggestion is that these plants may do quite well in the sub tropics with shade and plenty of water. Be aware that I also read on a website that what sounds like the prettiest of the 3, (Fagraea racemosa), is allocated weed status in Australia (I assume in tropical areas). You may get the seeds of the Thevetia in the same way.