Hawaiian red-flowered geranium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hawaiian red-flowered geranium |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geranium
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| Species: |
arboreum
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The Geranium arboreum is a very special and rare plant. It's often called the Hawaiian red-flowered geranium or Hawaii red cranesbill. This plant is only found in one place in the world: the island of Maui in Hawaii. Because it's so rare, it was officially listed as an endangered species in 1992.
Like other geraniums from Hawaii, this plant also has local Hawaiian names: hinahina and nohoanu.
Contents
About the Hawaiian Red Geranium
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a type of shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It can grow quite tall, up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) high! Its leaves are green and have jagged edges, growing up to 3.8 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long.
The flowers of the Geranium arboreum are a beautiful red or bright magenta color. What's interesting about them is their shape: the top two petals stand up straight, while the bottom two curve downwards. This unique shape helps birds to pollinate the flowers. This is very special because most geraniums are pollinated by insects, not birds!
Where Does It Live?
This rare geranium grows in deep valleys, called gulches, on the sides of the volcano Haleakalā on Maui. Sadly, there are not many of these plants left. Scientists believe there are fewer than 500 individual plants still growing in the wild.
Why Is It Endangered?
The main reason the Geranium arboreum is in danger is because its home is being damaged. This damage comes from several things:
- Grazing animals: Animals like cattle and wild pigs eat the plants and stomp on their habitat.
- Invasive plants: Other plants that are not native to Hawaii move into the area. These non-native plants can take over and push out the native Geranium arboreum, making it harder for them to grow and survive.
Protecting this plant's habitat is very important to help it survive and thrive.
See also
In Spanish: Geranium arboreum para niños
