Waianae Range tetramolopium facts for kids
Tetramolopium lepidotum is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. People often call it the Waianae Range tetramolopium. This special plant only grows in Hawaii. Today, you can only find it in the Waianae Mountains on the island of Oahu. It is in danger because of wild goats and pigs. Other plants that are not native to Hawaii also threaten it.
Quick facts for kids Waianae Range tetramolopium |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: |
Asteroideae
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| Tribe: |
Astereae
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| Genus: |
Tetramolopium
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| Species: |
T. lepidotum
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| Binomial name | |
| Tetramolopium lepidotum (Less.) Sherff
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Contents
About This Special Plant
This plant is a small, upright shrub. It can grow up to about 36 centimeters (14 inches) tall. Its leaves can be thin like a thread or shaped like a spear. They grow up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) long.
What Does It Look Like?
The plant has groups of up to 12 flower heads. Each flower head looks like a single flower. These heads have white or slightly purple ray florets. These are the petal-like parts on the outside. The center of the flower has reddish disc florets.
Different Types of This Plant
There are two main types, or subspecies, of Tetramolopium lepidotum:
- Tetramolopium lepidotum ssp. arbusculum has not been seen for a very long time. The last time it was recorded was in 1844. That was when the first sample was collected on the island of Maui.
- Tetramolopium lepidotum ssp. lepidotum is the type found today. It only lives in the Waianae Range on Oahu. It used to grow on the island of Lanai. However, it has not been found there since 1928. Now, there is only one group of these plants left. This group has about 250 individual plants. Because it is so rare, this subspecies is listed as an endangered species in the United States. This means it is protected by law.
Why Is It So Rare?
This plant is very rare because its home is being damaged. Wild feral goats and pigs eat the plants and disturb the soil. Also, many introduced species of plants are growing in Hawaii. These new plants take over the space and resources that native plants like Tetramolopium lepidotum need to survive. Efforts are being made to protect the remaining plants and their habitat.
