Cyanea eleeleensis
Encyclopedia
Cyanea eleeleensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family
known by the common name Eleele cyanea. It is endemic to Kauai
, where there are no more than ten plants remaining in the wild. It was federally listed as an endangered species
of the United States in 2010. Like other Cyanea
it is known as haha in Hawaiian
.
This Hawaiian lobelioid
was discovered in 1977 near a gulch
called Pali 'Ele'ele on Kauai. The shrub
is known to grow nearly two meters tall with leaves up to 40 centimeters long by 11 wide. The inflorescence
bears up to 20 tubular flowers which are purple in color with paler longitudinal stripes.
Threats to this rare species include habitat degradation by feral pigs, exotic plants
, and landslides.
Much of the potential habitat for this plant has not been surveyed, and it is said to be "likely" that more individuals will be found in future searches.
Campanulaceae
The family Campanulaceae , of the order Asterales, contains about 2000 species in 70 genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and rarely small trees, often with milky non-toxic sap...
known by the common name Eleele cyanea. It is endemic to Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, where there are no more than ten plants remaining in the wild. It was federally listed as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of the United States in 2010. Like other Cyanea
Cyanea (plant)
Cyanea is a genus of lobelioid plants endemic to Hawaii. It contains more than 50 species, ranging in size from shrubs like C. eleeleensis to tall palm-like trees over 10 meters tall such as C. leptostegia...
it is known as haha in Hawaiian
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
.
This Hawaiian lobelioid
Hawaiian lobelioids
The Hawaiian lobelioids are a group of flowering plants in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, all of which are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. This is the largest plant radiation in the Hawaiian Islands, and indeed the largest on any island archipelago, with over 125 species...
was discovered in 1977 near a gulch
Gulch
A gulch is a deep V-shaped valley formed by erosion. It may contain a small stream or dry creek bed and is usually larger in size than a gully. Occasionally, sudden intense rainfall may produce flash floods in the area of the gulch....
called Pali 'Ele'ele on Kauai. The shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
is known to grow nearly two meters tall with leaves up to 40 centimeters long by 11 wide. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
bears up to 20 tubular flowers which are purple in color with paler longitudinal stripes.
Threats to this rare species include habitat degradation by feral pigs, exotic plants
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
, and landslides.
Much of the potential habitat for this plant has not been surveyed, and it is said to be "likely" that more individuals will be found in future searches.