Cyanea recta

Cyanea recta is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common names upright cyanea and Kealia cyanea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai.[1] It is a federally listed threatened species of the United States. Like other Cyanea it is known as haha in Hawaiian.[2]

Cyanea recta

Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Campanulaceae
Genus: Cyanea
Species:
C. recta
Binomial name
Cyanea recta
Synonyms
  • Cyanea larrisonii
  • Cyanea rockii

Description

This Hawaiian lobelioid is a shrub growing up to 1.5 meters tall. The inflorescence bears purple-striped white or solid purple flowers.[1] It grows in wet forest habitat in the understory of ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha).[3] The fruit color is purple. It can bloom at anytime of the year.[4] The elliptic leaves are from 12 to 28 inches long, with toothed margins. The upper part of the leaf is smooth and green, while the lower part is pale green with hairs. 5 to 7 flowers are arraigned in a inflorescence stalk.[5]

Distribution and Habitat

A 1998 survey estimated up to 1500 individuals remaining in seven populations. These are in a few locations on Kauai, including the Makaleha Mountains. By 2008 one population apparently contained "several thousand" plants.[3]

The habitat is threatened with degradation and destruction by a number of forces, especially feral pigs and exotic plant species such as fireweed and Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta).[3] It is native to Mesic forests.[4]

References
  1. USFWS. Cyanea recta. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. USFWS Species Profile: Listed Plants
  3. USFWS. Cyanea recta Five-year Review. August 2010.
  4. "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  5. "Haha (Cyanea recta)". ecos.fws.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
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