Kauai catchfly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kauai catchfly |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Silene
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| Species: |
lanceolata
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Silene lanceolata, also known as the Kauai catchfly or lanceolate catchfly, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, often called the pink family. This special plant is endemic to Hawaii, meaning it grows naturally only there.
Today, you can find the Kauai catchfly only on the islands of Oahu, Molokai, and Hawaii. Sadly, it has disappeared from Kauai and Lanai. Because it is so rare and its home is shrinking, the United States government lists it as an endangered species. This means it is protected by law.
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Meet the Kauai Catchfly!
The Kauai catchfly is a small plant that looks like a subshrub, growing about 15 to 50 centimeters tall. That's roughly the height of a ruler or two! It produces pretty white flowers.
Where Does it Live?
This plant likes different kinds of homes depending on the island. On the island of Hawaii, it grows on lava and ash from volcanoes. It prefers these rocky, volcanic soils.
On Oahu and Molokai, the Kauai catchfly lives in dry and moist forests. You can often find it growing on cliffs and slopes.
Most of these plants live on the island of Hawaii. A large group of over 10,000 individual plants grows at the Pohakuloa Training Area. On Oahu, there are four smaller groups of these plants. Molokai has the fewest, with less than 1,000 individual plants remaining.
Why is it in Danger?
The Kauai catchfly faces several big problems that threaten its survival. These threats are mostly due to changes in its habitat.
Fires and Invasive Plants
One major danger is fire. Fires can destroy the plant's home. They also help invasive plants take over. An invasive plant is one that doesn't belong in Hawaii and harms the native plants. For example, Pennisetum setaceum, also known as fountain grass, is a big problem. Fountain grass pushes out native plants like the Kauai catchfly. What's worse, fountain grass catches fire easily, which makes more fires happen!
Animals and Other Plants
Wild animals also cause trouble. Feral goats and pigs roam freely and can destroy the plant's habitat by eating plants or trampling them.
The Kauai catchfly also has to compete with other non-native plants. These plants were brought to the islands by people and now compete for space, sunlight, and water. This makes it harder for the rare Kauai catchfly to survive and grow.
