Haleakala schiedea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haleakala schiedea |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Schiedea
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| Species: |
haleakalensis
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The Schiedea haleakalensis is a very rare flowering plant. It is often called the Haleakalā schiedea. This plant belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which includes many types of flowers.
This special plant lives only in Hawaii. It is found specifically in Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui. Because it lives only in one specific place, it is called an endemic species. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which puts the plant in danger. In 1992, the United States government officially listed it as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
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What is the Haleakalā Schiedea?
The Haleakalā schiedea is a type of shrub. A shrub is a woody plant that is smaller than a tree. It usually has many branches starting near the ground. This plant grows to be about 30 to 60 centimeters tall. That's roughly the height of a small desk!
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are long and thin. They can be up to 8 centimeters long, but only a few millimeters wide. Imagine a very narrow ribbon.
The flowers of the Haleakalā schiedea grow in a cluster. This cluster of flowers is called an inflorescence. The flowers themselves are quite tiny. They have small green sepals, which are like little leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. Interestingly, these flowers do not have any petals.
Where Does the Haleakalā Schiedea Live?
This rare shrub is found in only two spots within Haleakalā National Park. The park is located on the large volcano called Haleakalā on the island of Maui. The plant gets its name from this volcano.
Why is it Endangered?
The main reason the Haleakalā schiedea is in danger is because its natural home is being damaged. This is called habitat degradation. When a plant's habitat is degraded, it means the area where it lives is no longer healthy enough for it to grow and thrive.
One big problem for this plant used to be feral goats. Feral goats are goats that have escaped from farms and now live in the wild. They can eat many plants, including the Haleakalā schiedea. This caused a lot of damage to the plant's habitat. Luckily, most of these goats have now been removed from the areas where the plant lives. This helps protect the remaining plants.
Being an endangered species means that scientists and park rangers are working hard to protect the Haleakalā schiedea. They want to make sure this unique Hawaiian plant can survive for many more years.
