St. John's pelea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. John's pelea |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melicope
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| Species: |
saint-johnii
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The St. John's melicope (scientific name: Melicope saint-johnii) is a special kind of tree found only in the Hawaiian Islands. People also call it the St. John's pelea. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus trees like oranges and lemons! In Hawaii, many trees from the Melicope group are known as alani. Sadly, this unique tree is in danger. It is listed as an endangered species in the United States, mainly because it is losing its natural home.
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Discovering the St. John's Melicope
This amazing tree can grow up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. That's about as tall as a two-story building! It likes to grow in moist forest areas.
Where Does This Special Tree Grow?
The St. John's melicope is endemic to Hawaii. This means it grows naturally nowhere else in the world! Specifically, you can only find it on the island of Oahu. It lives in the Waianae Range, which is a mountain area on Oahu.
How Many St. John's Melicope Trees Are Left?
Scientists believe there are very few of these trees left. There are probably fewer than 150 individual trees still growing in the wild. This small number makes it very important to protect them.
Why Is the St. John's Melicope in Trouble?
The main reason this tree is endangered is habitat loss. Its natural home is being damaged.
What Is Damaging Their Home?
- Non-native plants: Other plant species that are not originally from Hawaii have been brought to the islands. These non-native plants can grow very fast and take over the space where the St. John's melicope trees need to live. They compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
- Feral pigs: Wild pigs, also known as feral pigs, cause a lot of damage. They dig up the forest floor, which can hurt the roots of the trees and prevent new melicope seedlings from growing. Their digging also creates open areas where non-native plants can easily start to grow.
Because of these threats, it's a big challenge to help the St. John's melicope survive and thrive for future generations.
