Cyanea humboldtiana facts for kids
Cyanea humboldtiana is a very rare flowering plant that lives only on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaii. It's part of the bellflower family and is sometimes called the Oʻahu rollandia. In Hawaiian, this plant is known as haha. It is a federally listed endangered species, meaning it is in danger of disappearing forever.
Quick facts for kids Cyanea humboldtiana |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyanea
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| Species: |
humboldtiana
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| Synonyms | |
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Rollandia humboldtiana |
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Contents
Meet the Oʻahu Haha Plant
The Cyanea humboldtiana is a special type of plant called a Hawaiian lobelioid. It grows as a shrub, which is a woody plant smaller than a tree. These shrubs can reach a height of about 1 to 2 meters, which is like being as tall as a grown-up or even a bit taller.
What Does It Look Like?
This unique plant produces beautiful flowers. These flowers can be either a bright magenta color or a pure white. Imagine seeing these colorful blooms in the wild!
Where Does It Live?
The Oʻahu haha plant is found only on the island of Oʻahu. Specifically, it lives in the Koʻolau Mountains. These mountains are known for their misty, wet conditions, which is perfect for this plant. It grows in what is called the "cloud zone," where clouds often hang low, providing lots of moisture.
Why Is It Endangered?
Sadly, there are very few Cyanea humboldtiana plants left in the world. Scientists believe there are no more than 300 individual plants remaining. This makes it a critically endangered species. Its small population grows along the southern peaks of the Koʻolau Range.
Threats from Other Plants
One big problem for the Oʻahu haha plant comes from other plants that are not native to Hawaii. These "exotic plants" were brought to the island by people and now grow very fast. They can take over the space and resources that the native Cyanea humboldtiana needs to survive.
Threats from Animals
Another major threat to this rare plant comes from feral pigs. These are pigs that were once farm animals but now live in the wild. Feral pigs can cause a lot of damage to the plant's habitat. They dig up the ground, which can harm the roots of the plants and change the soil. They might also eat the plants themselves.
