Abutilon menziesii, known as Koʻoloaʻula in Hawaiian, is an endangered species of flowering shrub in the family Malvaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.
| Abutilon menziesii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Abutilon |
| Species: | A. menziesii
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| Binomial name | |
| Abutilon menziesii | |
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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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