Cyanea procera

Cyanea procera (English name: Molokai Cyanea ) is an extremely rare plant from the family of the bellflower family ( Campanulaceae ). This tree is found only on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. It belongs to the genus Cyanea within the subfamily of lobelia plants ( Lobelioideae ), all of which 66 species are endemic to Hawaii. Of many species are referred to by the locals as haha.

Description

Cyanea procera is a palm-like tree -acting, but Aster something similar ( unranked ) have reached no palm- like characteristics, the plant height 3-9 meters. The sessile lanceolate leaves are 60 to 75 inches long and 10 to 17 inches wide. The leaf margin shows many small teeth.

The racemose inflorescence consists of ten to twenty individual flowers. The zygomorphe flower is fünfzählig. The five sepals form a calyx cup, protrude from the linealische triangular sepals. The five purple petals are fused into an almost upright or slightly curved corolla tube 6-8 inches long, ending in five downward curved corolla lobes. This makes them appear single lip. The berries are elliptical or egg-shaped.

Occurrence

The original area of ​​distribution of Cyanea procera included the Kamolo region on Molokai, now the only occurrence is limited to the Kawela Gorge in Molokai Forest Reserve. This tree grows in damp woods on ravine slopes and in canyon valleys.

Status

Cyanea procera was 1938-1987 as extinct until in the Kawela Gorge on the western side of Puu O Kaeha on Molokai two specimens were rediscovered. During the 1990s, eight specimens were known in three populations. Except for an individual but all copies have been received by the year 2005. This Cyanea procera is one of the rarest plant species in the world.

The biggest threat comes from landslides caused by the overgrazing of vegetation by feral goats in the gorge, rats, snails and competition from alien plant species ( neophytes ) from.