Punaluu cyanea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Punaluu cyanea |
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| Cyanea truncata flowers | |
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| Genus: |
Cyanea
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| Species: |
truncata
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The Cyanea truncata is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the bellflower family. People often call it the Punaluu cyanea. This special plant only grows in Hawaii, specifically on the islands of Oahu and Molokai. Because it's found nowhere else, we say it is endemic to Hawaii. Sadly, it is now critically endangered, which means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Like other plants in the Cyanea group, Hawaiians call it haha.
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Discovering the Rare Haha Plant
This unique Hawaiian plant, part of a group called Hawaiian lobelioids, was once only known from the Koʻolau Mountains on Oahu. By the 1980s, scientists thought it might be gone. The last plants were seen in 1983. For many years, no one found any more.
Then, in 1998, something amazing happened! One single plant was discovered. Even though this plant died in 2001, its seeds and cuttings had been used to grow new plants. This process is called propagation. In 2004, three more plants were found, and they were still alive a couple of years later.
Helping the Haha Plant Survive
Thanks to the propagation efforts, new Cyanea truncata plants were grown. Some of these young plants have been put back into their natural home. They are now growing inside a special fenced area. This area protects them from wild animals that could harm them. Another endangered plant, Schiedia kaalae, also grows safely inside this enclosure.
Why the Punaluu Cyanea Is in Danger
Many things have made the Cyanea truncata plant so rare. One of the biggest problems has been feral pigs. These wild pigs cause a lot of damage to the plant's home. They dig up the soil, knock down bigger plants, and pull out small plants and seedlings. They also carry seeds of non-native plants into the area, which can take over the space where native plants like Cyanea truncata need to grow.
Other Threats to the Plant
Besides pigs, other non-native plants also threaten the Cyanea truncata. These include kukui (Aleurites moluccanus), ti (Cordyline fruitcosa), and Christmas berry (Schinus terebinthifolius). These plants compete with the native haha for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Small animals like rats and slugs can also chew on and damage the Cyanea truncata plants, making it even harder for them to survive.
