Nioi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nioi
Conservation status
Endangered (ESA)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Eugenia
Species:	koolauensis

The Eugenia koolauensis is a special plant found only in Hawaii. People also call it nioi or the Ko'olau eugenia. It belongs to the myrtle family, which includes many well-known trees and shrubs.

This plant is a shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 2 to 7 meters tall, which is like a one or two-story building. Its branches have fuzzy tips, and the undersides of its leaves are also a bit hairy. When it blooms, you can see pretty white flowers growing where the leaves meet the stems.

Sadly, the Eugenia koolauensis is an endangered species. This means there are very few of these plants left in the wild. It used to grow on two Hawaiian islands, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. But now, you can only find it on Oʻahu. It is the only type of Eugenia plant that is native and unique to Hawaii.

Where the Nioi Lives: Its Home in Hawaii

The Eugenia koolauensis likes to live in special places in Hawaii. It grows in dry valleys and on ridges within the Hawaiian tropical rainforests. You can find it in areas called "coastal mesic" and "mixed mesic forests." These forests are found on the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae Ranges on Oʻahu.

• Coastal mesic forests are usually found closer to the coast. They get a good amount of rain, but not as much as very wet rainforests.
• Mixed mesic forests are a mix of wet and dry conditions. They are often found a bit higher up in the mountains.

The nioi plant shares its home with many other interesting Hawaiian plants. Some of its plant neighbors include:

• Maile (Alyxia oliviformis)
• ʻAhakea lau nui (Bobea elatior)
• Uluhe (Dicranopteris linearis)
• Kōlea lau nui (Myrsine lessertiana)
• Olopua (Nestegis sandwicensis)
• Hala pepe (Pleomele halapepe)
• ʻĀlaʻa (Pouteria sandwicensis)
• Alaheʻe (Psydrax odorata)
• Hao (Rauvolfia sandwicensis)
• Pūkiawe (Styphelia tameiameiae)

Why the Nioi is Endangered

The Eugenia koolauensis is in danger for a few main reasons. The biggest threats are:

• Habitat Loss: This means the places where the nioi lives are being destroyed. In the past, land on Molokaʻi was cleared to grow pineapples. This removed all the nioi plants from that island. Today, development and other human activities continue to reduce its natural home.
• Fungal Disease: A new disease caused by a fungus called Puccinia psidii is also harming the nioi. This fungus is not native to Hawaii, meaning it came from somewhere else. It can make plants sick and even kill them.

In 2008, scientists counted fewer than 300 mature nioi plants in the Koʻolau Range. In the Waiʻanae Range, there were only three plants left. This shows how rare and special this Hawaiian plant truly is. Protecting its habitat and finding ways to fight the fungal disease are very important to help the nioi survive.

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