McEldowney cyanea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McEldowney cyanea |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyanea
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| Species: |
mceldowneyi
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Cyanea mceldowneyi is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the bellflower family. People often call it the McEldowney cyanea. In Hawaiian, it is known as haha. This plant grows only in Hawaii. You can find it only on the island of Maui. In 2007, experts found only about 60 of these plants left. They were in just two small groups. Because it is so rare, the United States government listed it as an endangered species in 1992. This means it is protected by law.
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Discovering the McEldowney Cyanea
The Cyanea mceldowneyi is a special plant. It is endemic to Hawaii. This means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world. It was named after George McEldowney. He was a forester who worked on Maui.
What Does This Rare Plant Look Like?
This plant is a type of Hawaiian lobelioid. It grows as a shrub. It can reach a height of 2 to 3 meters. That's about 6 to 10 feet tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the McEldowney cyanea are quite large. They can be up to 35 centimeters long. That's about 14 inches. They are also about 9 centimeters wide. The edges of the leaves have hard, sharp teeth. The leaves themselves can be prickly. This is especially true when they are new and young.
The plant produces beautiful flowers. They grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. Each cluster has about 5 to 7 tubular flowers. The petals of these flowers are white. They also have purple stripes. Just like the leaves, the flowers can have small prickles on them.
Why Is the McEldowney Cyanea Endangered?
The main reason this plant is so rare is because its home is being damaged. Its habitat is changing.
Threats from Animals and Plants
One big problem comes from feral pigs. These wild pigs dig up the ground. They can destroy the plants and their roots.
Another threat comes from other plants. These are plants that were brought to Hawaii by people. They are not native to the islands. Some of these harmful plants include:
- Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta)
- Glorybush (Tibouchina herbacea)
- Thimbleberry (Rubus rosifolius)
These non-native plants grow very fast. They take over the space and sunlight. This makes it hard for native plants like the McEldowney cyanea to survive.
Lack of Pollinators
The McEldowney cyanea might also be in trouble because of a lack of pollinators. Pollinators are animals, like insects or birds, that help plants reproduce. They carry pollen from one flower to another. If there are not enough pollinators, the plants cannot make seeds. This means fewer new plants can grow.
Scientists and conservationists are working to protect this special Hawaiian plant. They hope to help it survive for future generations.
