Hawaii violet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hawaii violet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Viola (plant)
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| Species: |
lanaiensis
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The Viola lanaiensis, also known as the Hawaii violet, is a very special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the violet family. This plant is endemic to Hawaii, which means it grows naturally only on the island of Lanai and nowhere else in the world. Sadly, it is an endangered species in the United States. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
The Hawaii violet faces threats from animals like deer and sheep. It is also harmed by introduced species of plants that are not native to Hawaii. These plants can take over the space and resources the violet needs to grow.
Contents
What is the Hawaii Violet?
The Hawaii violet is a small subshrub. It usually grows to be about 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) tall. That's about the size of a ruler!
Appearance of the Plant
This plant has narrow leaves. Its flowers are white, but they often have a pretty purple tint or purple veins. Imagine tiny white flowers with delicate purple lines on them.
Where it Lives
The Hawaii violet likes to live in moist and wet forest areas. These are places where there is plenty of water and the air is humid. It needs these specific conditions to thrive.
Why is it Endangered?
The Hawaii violet is found only on the island of Lanai. There are very few of these plants left. Scientists have found only 4 groups, or "populations," of the Hawaii violet. In total, there are fewer than 80 plants left in the wild. This makes it one of the rarest plants in the world.
Main Threats
The plant almost disappeared completely because of animals like Axis deer and Mouflon (a type of wild sheep). These animals eat the plants, which makes it hard for new ones to grow.
Protecting the Hawaii Violet
To protect the remaining plants, people have built fences around them. These fences keep the deer and sheep away. This helps the Hawaii violet grow safely and hopefully increase its numbers. Protecting this unique plant helps keep Hawaii's natural environment healthy.
