Narrowleaf colicwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrowleaf colicwood |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myrsine
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| Species: |
linearifolia
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Myrsine linearifolia, also called the narrowleaf colicwood, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the primrose family. This special plant grows only in Hawaii, specifically on the island of Kauai. It is so rare that there are fewer than 200 plants left in the world, spread across just 12 small groups. Like other Myrsine plants in Hawaii, it is known by the Hawaiian name kōlea. Because it is so rare, the United States government has listed it as a threatened species, meaning it needs protection to survive.
About the Narrowleaf Colicwood
The narrowleaf colicwood is a type of shrub or small tree. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 8 meters (about 26 feet). It has thin, narrow leaves and its flowers grow in small groups along its branches.
Where It Lives
This plant prefers to grow in places that are moist or wet, often on mountain ridges. It shares its home with many other native Hawaiian forest plants. Some of its plant neighbors include Antidesma platyphyllum (hame), Broussaisia arguta (kanawao), Chamaesyce remyi (akoko), and Syzygium sandwicensis (ʻŌhiʻa ha). These plants all grow together in the unique Hawaiian forest ecosystem.
