Kaala rockwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kaala rockwort |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nototrichium
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| Species: |
humile
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Nototrichium humile is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. People often call it the kaala rockwort or kulu'i.
This plant is endemic to Hawaii. This means it naturally grows only in Hawaii and nowhere else in the world. Sadly, it used to live on the island of Maui, but it's now gone from there. Today, you can only find it on the island of Oahu. Because it's so rare and at risk, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's protected by law to help it survive.
About the Kaala Rockwort
The kaala rockwort is a small shrub. It can grow either straight up or spread out along the ground. When it blooms, it produces thin spikes of flowers. These flowers are an important part of its life cycle.
Where it Lives
Most of these plants live on the Makua Military Reservation on Oahu. This area is in the Waiʻanae Range. It's a place where fires can happen often.
Why it's in Danger
The kaala rockwort faces several big challenges. These challenges make it hard for the plant to survive and grow.
Main Threats
The biggest danger to the kaala rockwort is fire. Since many of these plants grow in areas prone to fires, they are always at risk. Fires can destroy entire groups of plants very quickly.
Other Dangers
- Wild Animals: Feral goats can cause a lot of damage. They eat the plants and stomp on their habitat.
- Invading Plants: Many introduced species of plants are also a problem. These plants are not native to Hawaii. They grow very fast and take over the space and resources that the kaala rockwort needs. Some of these invading plants include:
- Pamakani haole (Ageratina adenophora)
- Spreading mist flower (Ageratina riparia)
- Dog tail (Buddleja asiatica)
- Wait-a-bit (Caesalpinia decapetala)
- Ti (Cordyline fruticosa)
- Silk oak (Grevillea robusta)
- Koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala)
- Pride of India (Melia azedarach)
- Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora)
These invading plants compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This makes it even harder for the rare kaala rockwort to thrive.
