Wahiawa Bog dubautia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wahiawa Bog dubautia |
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D. pauciflorula
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| Dubautia pauciflorula H.St.John & G.D.Carr
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The Dubautia pauciflorula is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, also known as aster family. People often call it the Wahiawa Bog dubautia. This special plant is only found in Hawaii, specifically in the Wahiawa Mountains on the island of Kauai.
There are fewer than 50 of these plants left in the world. Because it is so rare, the United States government officially listed it as an endangered species in 1991. This means it is protected by law. Like other plants in its group, the Dubautia pauciflorula is also known by its Hawaiian name, na`ena`e.
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Meet the Wahiawa Bog Dubautia
This plant is part of a unique group called the silversword alliance. Scientists first collected samples of this plant in 1909 and again in 1911. However, it took many years for it to get its official name. It wasn't collected again until 1979, and then it was finally described as a new species in 1981.
Where Does It Live?
The Wahiawa Bog dubautia loves wet places. It grows in rainforests near streams. This area gets a lot of rain, sometimes up to 500 centimeters (about 200 inches) every year! That's why it's called a "bog" plant, because bogs are very wet areas.
How Does It Look?
This plant is a shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It can grow up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall and just as wide. Its leaves are smooth and grow in pairs directly opposite each other on the stem. The plant produces yellow flowers. These flowers grow in small groups of two to four, forming what looks like a tiny flower head.
Why Is It in Danger?
The Wahiawa Bog dubautia faces several big problems that threaten its survival.
- Wild Pigs: Feral pigs, which are wild pigs, can damage the plant's habitat. They dig up the ground and eat plants.
- Invasive Plants: Other plants that are not native to Hawaii, like Melastoma candidum, are also a threat. These invasive species grow very fast and can take over the space and resources that the native dubautia needs to survive.
How Can We Help?
People are working hard to protect this rare plant. One important way they help is by collecting its seeds. This allows scientists to grow new plants safely in special nurseries. These efforts are part of conservation work, which aims to protect plants and animals from disappearing forever.
