Olokele Canyon nehe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olokele Canyon nehe
Conservation status
Critically Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Subfamily:	Asteroideae
Tribe:	Heliantheae
Genus:	Melanthera
Species:	M. fauriei
Binomial name
Melanthera fauriei (H. Lév.) W.L. Wagner & H. Rob.

Melanthera fauriei, also known as the Olokele Canyon nehe, is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. This plant is quite rare.

Where It Lives

The Olokele Canyon nehe plant lives only in Hawaiʻi. You can find it on just one island, Kauaʻi. This means it is endemic to Kauaʻi.

It grows in different kinds of forests on Kauaʻi. It can live in places that are dry, moist, or even wet.

What It Looks Like

Melanthera fauriei is a plant that spreads out. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years.

This plant produces yellow flower heads. These flower heads look a lot like small daisies.

Why It Needs Our Help

The Olokele Canyon nehe is a very important plant. The United States government lists it as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.

There are only about ten groups of these plants left. In total, there are no more than 240 plants in the entire world.

Threats to the Plant

Many things threaten the survival of Melanthera fauriei. One big problem is that its habitat is being lost or damaged. This can happen in several ways:

• Animals like deer, goats, and rats eat the plants or damage their environment.
• Wild boars can also cause harm to the habitat.
• Fires can destroy large areas where the plants grow.
• Landslides can also damage their living spaces.
• Invasive plant species are a major threat. These are plants that are not native to Hawaii. They grow quickly and take over the space and resources that the Olokele Canyon nehe needs to survive.

Protecting this plant means protecting its home from these dangers.

A thin stem with a flower, covered in soft hairs.

The overall shape of the plant and the texture of its leaves.

See also

In Spanish: Melanthera fauriei para niños