Papery schiedea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Papery schiedea |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Schiedea
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| Species: |
membranacea
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Schiedea membranacea, also known as the papery schiedea or membranous schiedea, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the pink family. This special plant is found only in one place: the island of Kauai in Hawaii. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
Sadly, the papery schiedea is in danger. Its home is being damaged or destroyed. Because of this, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
About the Papery Schiedea
This plant is a perennial herb. A perennial plant lives for more than two years. An herb is a plant with soft stems, not woody ones like trees. This plant grows from a woody base called a caudex. The stem can grow up to one meter (about 3 feet) long. It does not have any branches.
Where It Lives
The papery schiedea likes to live in moist and wet forests. It often grows on steep cliffs. These cliffs provide a unique home for the plant.
Why It's in Danger
The number of papery schiedea plants has dropped a lot. In 1996, there were at least 250 plants in six different groups. By 2010, there were fewer than 90 plants left in only five groups. This shows a big decline in its population.
Threats to Its Survival
Several things threaten the papery schiedea. These include:
- Feral goats: Goats that live in the wild can eat the plants.
- Feral pigs: Wild pigs can damage the habitat by rooting around.
- Introduced species of plants: Plants brought from other places can take over the space and resources the papery schiedea needs.
- Garlic snails (Oxychilus alliarius): These snails can also harm the plants.
All these threats make it very hard for the papery schiedea to survive and grow. Efforts are being made to protect this unique Hawaiian plant.
