Golden hala pepe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden hala pepe |
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The golden hala pepe (Dracaena aurea) is a special kind of flowering plant. It is a small tree that grows only on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii. This means it is endemic to Kauaʻi, so you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world!
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All About the Golden Hala Pepe
The golden hala pepe is a unique part of Hawaii's natural world. It is an evergreen tree, meaning its leaves stay green all year long. This plant is a great example of the amazing variety of life found on islands.
Where the Golden Hala Pepe Lives
This special tree lives in certain parts of Kauaʻi. It prefers coastal mesic and mixed mesic forests. These are types of Hawaiian rainforests that get a good amount of rain. You can find it growing at different heights, from about 120 m (390 ft) to 1,070 m (3,510 ft) above sea level.
What the Golden Hala Pepe Looks Like
The golden hala pepe is usually a small tree. It often grows to be about 4.6–7.6 m (15–25 ft) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach up to 12 m (39 ft) high.
Its trunk is gray and straight. Unlike many trees, its trunk does not have rough bark. The trunk can be about 0.3–0.9 m (0.98–2.95 ft) wide. The leaves of the golden hala pepe are shaped like swords. They are quite long, usually between 20–51 cm (7.9–20.1 in) in length. They are also narrow, about 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) wide.
Its Name and History
The golden hala pepe was first officially described in 1867. A scientist named Horace Mann Jr. gave it the name Dracaena aurea. Later, in 1914, another scientist named N. E. Brown thought it should be moved to a different group of plants called Pleomele. However, most plant experts today, like those who manage the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, still agree with Horace Mann Jr.'s original name. They believe it belongs in the Dracaena group.
