Ākalakala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ākalakala |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Subgenus: | |
| Species: |
R. macraei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rubus macraei |
|
Rubus macraei, also known as 'Ākalakala', is a special type of blackberry plant. It is found only in Hawaii, meaning it is endemic to those islands. This plant usually grows low to the ground, spreading out like a vine, instead of standing tall.
What is the 'Ākalakala?
The 'Ākalakala is a unique plant that belongs to the Rubus family. This family includes many well-known berries like blackberries and raspberries. The 'Ākalakala is a native Hawaiian plant. It is an important part of the islands' natural environment.
Where Does the 'Ākalakala Grow?
You can find the 'Ākalakala in certain parts of Hawaii. It lives in wet forests and bogs. It also grows in shrubby areas high up on mountains. These areas are called subalpine shrublands.
The plant grows at high elevations. This means it is found between 1,610 and 2,080 meters (about 5,280 to 6,820 feet) above sea level. You can see it on the Big Island and East Maui.
How is 'Ākalakala Different from Other Berries?
The 'Ākalakala looks a lot like another Hawaiian berry, Rubus hawaiensis. However, scientists have studied their DNA. They looked at differences in a special part of their cells called the chloroplast gene. These studies show that R. macraei and R. hawaiensis came to Hawaii at different times.
This means they are not as closely related as they might seem. In fact, R. macraei is more distantly related to Asian and North American Rubus species than R. hawaiensis is. This shows how unique the 'Ākalakala is to the Hawaiian Islands.
