Thorny popolo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorny popolo |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Solanum
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| Species: |
incompletum
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Solanum incompletum, also known as thorny popolo or popolo ku mai, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). This plant is special because it is found only in Hawaii. It grows naturally nowhere else in the world.
Today, you can find thorny popolo on the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii Island. Sadly, its home is being destroyed, which puts the plant in danger. The United States government lists Solanum incompletum as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
Contents
About Thorny Popolo
This plant is a shrub that can grow up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall. Its stems and leaves are covered in large, red, sharp prickles. These prickles help protect the plant.
When it blooms, Solanum incompletum has pretty, star-shaped white flowers. You can find this plant growing in different places. It likes forest and shrubland areas. On Hawaii Island, it also grows in places made of cinder cones, which are small hills formed by volcanic ash.
Where It Lives
The thorny popolo used to live on more Hawaiian islands. It was once found on Kauai and Molokai. However, it has now disappeared from those islands. This is called being extirpated.
For a while, people thought it had also disappeared from Hawaii Island. But thankfully, a small group of these plants was found there recently. Now, experts believe there are about 83 individual plants on Hawaii Island. Some of these plants have even been carefully planted in new, safe areas to help them grow.
Why Thorny Popolo Is in Danger
Many things threaten the survival of Solanum incompletum. These threats make it hard for the plant to live and grow.
Animal Threats
One big problem comes from feral animals. These are animals that used to be farm animals but now live in the wild. They include feral pigs, feral goats, and wild sheep. These animals eat the plants or trample them, causing a lot of damage.
Invasive Plants
Another threat is invasive plants. These are plants that are not native to Hawaii. They grow very fast and take over the habitat where thorny popolo lives. Examples include Pennisetum setaceum (fountain grass) and Kalanchoe tubiflora (chandelier plant). These invasive plants make it harder for Solanum incompletum to get the sunlight, water, and space it needs.
Reproduction Challenges
The thorny popolo also seems to have trouble making new plants. Scientists have noticed that it produces very few seeds. This might be because the animals that usually help pollinate its flowers are no longer around. Without these special pollinators, the plant struggles to reproduce and create new generations.
See also
In Spanish: Solanum incompletum para niños
