Crimped rollandia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crimped rollandia |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyanea
|
| Species: |
crispa
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Rollandia crispa |
|
The Cyanea crispa is a very rare flowering plant. It is also known as the crimped rollandia or Koolau Range rollandia. In Hawaiian, it is called haha. This plant is found only on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It grows in the Koʻolau Range mountains.
There are fewer than 50 of these plants left in the world. Because it is so rare, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever.
What is Cyanea crispa?
This special plant is a type of Hawaiian lobelioid. It is a shrub that has a thick, juicy stem. At the top of the stem, there is a bunch of leaves.
The plant produces beautiful flowers. Each group of flowers, called an inflorescence, has 3 to 8 red flowers. These flowers have petals with purple stripes.
Where Does It Live?
The Cyanea crispa grows in different parts of the Koʻolau Mountains. It can be found in open, moist forests. It also likes the shady areas under taller trees in wet forests.
The few remaining plants are spread out in five different groups. Sadly, three of these groups have only one plant each. This makes it very hard for them to reproduce and grow their numbers.
Why Is It Endangered?
The main reason Cyanea crispa is endangered is because there are so few of them left. Their small numbers make them very fragile.
Their homes, or habitat, are also being harmed. This damage comes from several sources:
- Wild Animals: Feral pigs, rats, and slugs can damage the plants or eat their seeds.
- Invader Plants: Other plants that are not native to Hawaii, called exotic plants, are also a big problem. These include plants like Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta) and thimbleberry (Rubus rosifolius). They grow quickly and take over the space and resources that Cyanea crispa needs to survive.
How Are We Helping?
People are working to save the Cyanea crispa. They are collecting seeds from the plants. They are also trying to grow new plants from these seeds. This process is called plant propagation. By growing new plants, scientists hope to increase the total number of Cyanea crispa and help them survive.
