Abutilon menziesii
| Abutilon menziesii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Abutilon |
| Species: | A. menziesii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Abutilon menziesii | |
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Abutilon menziesii, known as Koʻoloaʻula in Hawaiian, is an endangered species of flowering shrub in the family Malvaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.
Description[edit]
It is a sprawling shrub that can reach up to 10 feet in height. The leaves, which range from an inch in width to about five inches, vary in their shapes. They have a velvety feel to them. The small hibiscus-shaped flowers generally hang downward. Though charming up close, the flowers can be hidden by the much larger leaves and not often visible at a distance. Although the Hawaiian name ʻula refers to the more commonly seen red color, koʻoloa ʻula flowers are known in a range of colors: pink, pink and white, pale red, maroon, deep purplish-red (wine), salmon, and blond or butter. The center or staminal column is yellowish.[2][3]
The plant is typically propagated by seeds. The seed capsules are pale brown, fuzzy, and about 3/8" long, typically containing 18-24 small, dark brown seeds.[4]
It inhabits dry forests on the islands of Lānaʻi, Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi.[4] It is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List; only about 450–500 plants remain in fewer than ten naturally occurring populations throughout the islands.[3] The rarity of this plant can be attributed to the alteration of its habitat for agricultural and urban development, overgrazing by livestock and feral animals, and competition from invasive weeds. A conservation plan is being implemented by federal and state agencies to protect remaining habitat, establish new populations, and conserve genetic material in seed banks and botanical gardens.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Bruegmann, M.; Caraway, V.L. (2003). "Abutilon menziesii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2003: e.T44060A10847191. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2003.RLTS.T44060A10847191.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Abutilon menziesii". Native Plants Hawaii. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ a b "The Critically Endangered Abutilon Menziesii (Ko'oloa'ula) Plant: Endemic to Hawaii and Declining". Owlcation. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Abutilon menziesii". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Habitat Conservation Plan for Abutilon mensiesii". Wildlife Programs. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
External links[edit]
Media related to Abutilon menziesii at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Abutilon menziesii at Wikispecies- United States Botanic Garden Archived 2004-10-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Abutilon menziesii information from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR)
- Barboza, Rick (2006-08-04). "Flowers make shrub stand out". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Vol. 11, no. 216.
- "Abutilon menziesii". Meet the Plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden.
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