Kalalau Valley stenogyne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kalalau Valley stenogyne |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Stenogyne
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| Species: |
campanulata
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The Stenogyne campanulata is a very rare flowering plant. People often call it the Kalalau Valley stenogyne. It belongs to the mint family, just like the mint you might use in chewing gum!
This special plant only grows in one place in the world: the Kalalau Valley on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific area, it's called endemic. Because it's so rare and special, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's protected by law because it's in danger of disappearing forever.
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What is the Kalalau Valley Stenogyne?
The Kalalau Valley stenogyne is a type of flowering plant. It's part of the large mint family, which includes many different kinds of plants. Even though it's related to mint, it might not look or smell like the mint you know!
Where Does This Special Plant Live?
This plant is a true Hawaiian native. It lives only in the beautiful and rugged Kalalau Valley on the island of Kauai. This valley is part of the Na Pali Coast State Park, which is famous for its tall cliffs and green landscapes. The plant grows on these cliffs, making its home in a very specific and unique environment.
How Was It Discovered and How Rare Is It?
Scientists first found the Kalalau Valley stenogyne in 1986. They were exploring a cliff in the Kalalau Valley. After studying it carefully, they officially described it as a brand new species in 1989.
This plant is incredibly rare. As of 2006, scientists knew of only one small group of these plants. This single group had about 50 individual plants. Imagine, only 50 of these plants in the entire world!
Why Is the Kalalau Valley Stenogyne Endangered?
Being an "endangered species" means a plant or animal is at high risk of dying out. The Kalalau Valley stenogyne faces several big challenges that threaten its survival.
Wild Pigs: A Big Problem
One of the main threats comes from feral pigs. These are pigs that were once farm animals but now live in the wild. They can cause a lot of damage to the plant's home. Pigs dig up the ground, which can hurt the plant's roots and change the soil. This makes it harder for the stenogyne to grow and thrive.
Invasive Plants: Unwanted Neighbors
Another big problem is introduced plant species. These are plants that were brought to Hawaii from other parts of the world. They are not native to the islands. One example is the air plant (Kalanchoe pinnata).
These introduced plants can grow very fast and take over areas. They compete with native plants like the stenogyne for sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil. When invasive plants spread, they can push out the native plants, making it even harder for the rare stenogyne to survive.
