Wood's hau kuahiwi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wood's hau kuahiwi |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hibiscadelphus
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| Species: |
woodii
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The Hibiscadelphus woodii, also known as "Wood's hau kuahiwi," is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, which includes hibiscus plants. This small tree is found only on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. When fully grown, it can reach a height of about 8 to 16 feet (2.5 to 5 meters).
This unique plant has an amazing story of almost disappearing forever.
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A Rare Discovery
Scientists first discovered Hibiscadelphus woodii in 1991. They officially described it as a new species in 1995. At that time, they found only four of these trees.
Sadly, between 1995 and 1998, three of the four trees were destroyed by a large rock. The last remaining tree was found dead in 2011.
Why It Was Hard to Save
Scientists tried very hard to save the plant. They found that its pollen was "inviable," meaning it couldn't create new seeds. No fruits were ever seen growing on the trees.
Even trying to grow new plants from cuttings or by cross-pollinating with a similar plant, H. distans, did not work.
Declared Extinct, Then Found Again!
Because of these problems, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (a group that tracks endangered species) declared Hibiscadelphus woodii extinct in 2016. This meant they believed the plant had completely disappeared from Earth.
But then, something amazing happened! In 2019, scientists from the National Tropical Botanical Garden rediscovered three living Hibiscadelphus woodii trees. They used drones to find the plants growing on a very steep cliff. This shows how important it is to keep looking for rare species!
Where It Lives
Hibiscadelphus woodii grows in special places on Kauai. It likes to live on basalt scree (slopes covered in broken rocks) and cliff walls. These areas are part of the ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) mixed mesic forests.
It is found at an elevation of about 3,000 feet (915 meters). Other plants that grow nearby include koʻokoʻolau (Bidens sandvicensis), ʻāhinahina (Artemisia australis), and alani (Melicope pallida).
