Honohono facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Honohono |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Lamioideae |
| Genus: | Haplostachys (A.Gray) Hillebr. |
Haplostachys is a special group of flowering plants, also known as honohono. These plants belong to the Lamiaceae family, which is also called the mint family. Imagine a plant related to the mint you might chew! This group of plants was first officially described in 1888.
All Haplostachys plants are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. This means they grow naturally only in Hawaii and nowhere else in the world. Sadly, out of the five known types (or species) of Haplostachys, four are now thought to be extinct. This means they have completely disappeared from Earth. The fifth type is in big trouble, listed as "Critically Imperiled," which means it's very close to becoming extinct too.
Contents
What is Honohono?
Honohono plants are unique members of the mint family. They are known for their beautiful flowers, though they are quite rare to see now. Scientists study these plants to understand more about Hawaii's natural world and how plants evolve.
Where Does Honohono Live?
Every single type of Haplostachys plant is native only to the Hawaiian Islands. This makes them very special and an important part of Hawaii's unique ecosystem. They have adapted over thousands of years to live in the specific conditions found there.
Different Kinds of Honohono
There were once five different kinds of honohono plants. Sadly, most of them are no longer with us. Here are the types that have been identified:
- †Haplostachys bryanii: This type was found on the island of Molokai, but it is now believed to be extinct.
- Haplostachys haplostachya: This is the only type still surviving. It can be found on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii. However, it is "Critically Imperiled," meaning it's in extreme danger of disappearing forever.
- †Haplostachys linearifolia: This plant lived on Maui and Molokai, but it is also apparently extinct on both islands.
- †Haplostachys munroi: This type was found on Lanai, but it is now believed to be extinct.
- †Haplostachys truncata: This plant was found on Maui, but it is also apparently extinct.
The little dagger symbol (†) next to a name means that plant is extinct. It's a reminder of how important it is to protect the plants and animals that are still here.
Protecting Honohono
The fact that only one type of honohono remains, and it's critically imperiled, shows how fragile nature can be. Conservationists and scientists are working hard to protect the remaining Haplostachys haplostachya. This often involves protecting their habitats and sometimes growing new plants from seeds in special gardens to help them survive.
See also
In Spanish: Haplostachys para niños
