Haupa Mountain melicope facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haupa Mountain melicope |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melicope
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| Species: |
haupuensis
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The Melicope haupuensis is a special kind of tree. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits! People often call it the Haupa Mountain melicope or Pacific pelea. In Hawaii, like other Melicope trees, it's known as alani.
This tree is found only in one place: the Hawaiian Islands. It grows specifically on the island of Kauai. Being found only in one place means it is endemic there. Sadly, this tree is in danger. It is threatened by things that destroy its home, called habitat loss. Because of this, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
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About the Haupa Mountain Melicope
The Haupa Mountain melicope can grow quite tall, up to 8 meters (about 26 feet). It has groups of 5 to 7 flowers.
Discovery and Population
Scientists first found this tree on Haupu Ridge in Kauai in 1927. They officially described it in 1944. For a while, there were very few of these trees left. By 1994, only two plants were known to exist! Luckily, by 2003, the number grew to thirteen. Some of these were found inside Nā Pali Coast State Park, a protected area. A survey in 2008 found even more, with 30 individual trees living in three different groups.
Where It Lives
This special tree likes to live in moist forest areas. These are places with lots of rain and damp soil.
Why It's in Danger
The Haupa Mountain melicope faces many threats in its forest home.
- Animals: Animals like deer and rats can damage the forest. They eat plants and disturb the soil.
- Non-native Plants: Another big problem comes from plants that are not originally from Hawaii. These are called introduced species. They can take over the space and resources that native plants like the melicope need. Some of these harmful plants include:
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Thimbleberry (Rubus argutus)
- Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum)
These threats make it very hard for the Haupa Mountain melicope to survive and grow. Efforts are being made to protect its habitat and help this rare tree thrive.
