Abutilon menziesii

Abutilon menziesii, known as Koʻoloaʻula in Hawaiian, is an endangered species of flowering shrub in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.

Abutilon menziesii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abutilon
Species:
A. menziesii
Binomial name
Abutilon menziesii
A rare blond-/butter coloured flower of A. menziesii

Description

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.[5] 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.[6]

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Abutilon menziesii". Native Plants Hawaii. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  3. "The Critically Endangered Abutilon Menziesii (Ko'oloa'ula) Plant: Endemic to Hawaii and Declining". Owlcation. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. "Abutilon menziesii (Ko'oloa 'ula)". www.ctahr.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  5. "Abutilon menziesii". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  6. "Habitat Conservation Plan for Abutilon mensiesii". Wildlife Programs. Retrieved 30 December 2018.


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