Oahu cowpea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vigna owahuensis |
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| Conservation status | |
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Phaseoleae
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V. o-wahuensis
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| Vigna o-wahuensis Vogel
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Vigna sandwicensis |
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Vigna owahuensis is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the legume family, which includes plants like beans and peas. This plant is also known by its common name, Oahu cowpea.
Where Does the Oahu Cowpea Live?
The Oahu cowpea is a native plant found only in Hawaii. It is known from only seven small groups of plants. These groups are found on the islands of Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe.
Even though its name includes "Oahu," this plant no longer grows on Oahu island. It has disappeared from there. In the past, it also grew on Niihau, Maui, and Kauai.
This special plant grows in many different places. It can be found in areas with shrubs and grasslands. It also grows in some farmed areas. You might see it on cinder cones, which are small volcanic hills, and on small islands near the coast. It can even grow on exposed coral reefs.
What Does the Oahu Cowpea Look Like?
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The Vigna owahuensis plant is an annual or perennial herb. This means it can live for just one year or for many years. It grows up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long.
Each leaf on the plant has three fuzzy leaflets. These leaflets can be different shapes and sizes. The plant's flowers are light yellow or greenish. They are about 2 to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. You might see flowers growing alone or in small groups of up to four.
After the flowers, the plant produces a long, thin legume pod. This pod can be up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. It might look slightly puffy or flat. Inside the pod, there can be up to 15 gray or black beans. Each bean is about 0.5 centimeters (about 0.2 inches) long.
Why Is the Oahu Cowpea Endangered?
The Oahu cowpea is a federally listed endangered species in the United States. This means it is protected by law because it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
There are several reasons why this plant is in danger:
- Habitat Loss: Its natural home is being lost. Land is being used for farming and new buildings.
- Introduced Species: New plants and animals brought to Hawaii are harming its habitat. These introduced species can take over the space or eat the native plants.
- Military Activity: Some areas where the plant grows are used for military training. This can also damage its habitat.
There are very few Oahu cowpea plants left. In total, fewer than 100 individual plants remain across four islands. On Molokai, there are two small groups of these plants. One group grows in an area with tropical ash and pine trees. As of 1994, only one plant was known to exist on Lanai. There are also some plants on Hawaii and Kahoolawe islands.
