Flynn's 'ohe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flynn's 'ohe |
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_flynnii_(5490672615).jpg) |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Polyscias
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| Species: |
flynnii
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| Synonyms | |
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Tetraplasandra flynnii Lowry & K.R. Wood |
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Polyscias flynnii is a very special plant. It is also called Flynn's ʻOhe or ʻOheʻohe. This plant grows only on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This means it is endemic to Kauai.
It is a very rare plant. Scientists know of only one small group of these plants. This group lives in the Kalalau Valley. It covers an area of about 1 square kilometer.
Polyscias flynnii is in danger. It is threatened by wild goats and plants that are not native to Hawaii. Because it is so rare and in danger, the United States government listed it as an endangered species in 2010.
Scientists first found this plant in 1988. They officially named it a new species in 2000. Today, only five of these plants are known to exist.
What is Polyscias flynnii?
Polyscias flynnii is a type of tree. It can grow quite tall, up to 9 meters (about 30 feet). That's like a three-story building!
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this tree are very interesting. They are called pinnately compound leaves. This means they have many smaller leaflets arranged along a central stem. Each leaf can be up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) long. The underside of the leaves has reddish-brown hairs. The top side does not have these hairs.
The flowers of Polyscias flynnii grow in groups. These groups are called a panicle or an umbel. They hang from where the leaves meet the branch. Each group has 10 to 15 flowers. The flowers are yellow-green in color. Some flowers have both male and female parts (these are called hermaphroditic). Other flowers on the same plant have only male parts (these are called staminate).
