Koholapehu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koholapehu |
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D. latifolia
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| Dubautia latifolia (A.Gray) D.D.Keck
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Dubautia latifolia is a very special and rare flowering plant. It's often called koholapehu or na`ena`e by the people of Hawaii. This plant is only found in one place in the world: the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii. It's part of the aster family, just like sunflowers and daisies!
Where Does Koholapehu Live?
The koholapehu plant is a member of the silversword alliance, a group of unique Hawaiian plants. It grows in scattered spots within the moist and wet forests of Kauai. You can find it near Waimea Canyon.
The forests where it lives get a lot of rain, sometimes up to 190 centimeters (about 75 inches) each year. Other big trees in these forests include koa and ohia. There are also many uluhe ferns.
Sadly, there are fewer than 200 koholapehu plants left in the wild. They are spread out in about 18 different places. But most of these places only have one or two plants. This makes them very hard to protect.
What Does Koholapehu Look Like?
The Dubautia latifolia plant is a type of liana. A liana is a woody vine that climbs up other trees. The koholapehu can grow very long, sometimes over 8 meters (about 26 feet)! It uses other trees to reach high up into the forest canopy.
This plant blooms, or flowers, from September to November. When it blooms, it produces clusters of bright yellow flowers. These flower clusters are called panicles.
Why Is Koholapehu Endangered?
Because there are so few of these plants left, Dubautia latifolia was officially listed as an endangered species in the United States in 1992. This means it's in danger of disappearing forever.
Many things threaten the koholapehu and its home. Some animals cause problems, like feral pigs, feral goats, rats, and deer. These animals can eat the plants or damage their habitat.
Another big threat comes from invasive plant species. These are plants that are not native to Hawaii and grow very fast. They can take over the space and resources that koholapehu needs. Some of these harmful plants include Santa Barbara daisy, kahili ginger, lantana, airplant, and firetree.
People are working hard to save the koholapehu. Conservation efforts include collecting seeds from the remaining plants. They also plant young koholapehu plants in safe areas to help the population grow.
