Polyscias sandwicensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polyscias sandwicensis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Polyscias
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| Species: |
sandwicensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Reynoldsia sandwicensis A.Gray |
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The Polyscias sandwicensis is a special kind of tree. People in Hawaii call it the 'ohe makai or ʻOhe kukuluāeʻo. This tree is a flowering plant and belongs to the Araliaceae family.
It is a native tree, meaning it grows naturally only in Hawaii. You won't find it growing wild anywhere else in the world!
About the 'Ohe Makai Tree
This amazing tree can grow quite tall. It usually reaches a height of about 4.6 to 15 meters (15 to 49 feet). Its trunk can also be quite wide, about 0.5 to 0.6 meters (1.6 to 2 feet) across.
Where It Lives
You can find the 'Ohe makai tree on most of Hawaii's main islands. It likes to grow in places that are not too high up. These trees are usually found at elevations from about 30 to 800 meters (100 to 2,600 feet) above sea level.
It mostly lives in dry forests in Hawaii. These are forests that do not get a lot of rain. Sometimes, you might also see it in coastal mesic or mixed mesic forests. These areas are a bit wetter than the dry forests.
Why It's Important
The 'Ohe makai tree is a very important part of Hawaii's natural world. However, it is facing a challenge. Its home, or habitat, is slowly disappearing. This happens when land is used for buildings or other human activities. Because of this, the tree is considered "near threatened." This means it could become endangered if its habitat keeps shrinking.
