More than 60 percent of Hawaii's native plant life is at risk of extinction.
The soil in Hawaii produces a tremendous variety of tropical flowers. Many types of orchids and hibiscus, as well as plants with exotic scents such as Red Hawaiian Torch Ginger help turn Hawaii into a feast for the senses. Unfortunately, botanist Bruce A. Stein, writing for Landscope America, states that 60 percent of Hawaii's native plant populations are at risk of extinction. Hawaii's flora developed in isolation and this has made them sensitive to the changes brought on by human colonization. Does this Spark an idea?
Hawaiian Gardenia (Gardenia brighamii)
At one time Hawaiian gardenias were quite common to the lowland dry forests of the islands. Historically, people used these gardenias to make dye for cloth. Today there are fewer than 20 known individual plants and they are confined to Lanai, Oahu and Molokai. The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) gives these sweet-smelling gardenias a rank of G1: critically imperiled and at high risk for extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also lists this species as endangered. Hawaii manages the remaining plants by aggressively controlling twig borer insects and alien weeds and by fencing to prevent grazing by herbivores.
Native Yellow Hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei ssp. brackenridgei)
The native yellow hibiscus is Hawaii's state flower and is also designated as "critically imperiled" by the CPC. There are only 60 known individual plants left on the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii. Hibiscus once grew on Molokai but is now thought to be extinct. These hibiscus plants face many threats from deer, pigs, goats and cattle. In addition, alien plant species, the demands of an expanding human civilization and naturally occurring events like fire have all taken their toll. Hawaii's management plan for the hibiscus includes protecting it from wild animal populations and from invasive alien plant species.
Ohai (Sesbania tomentosa)
Tomentosa is the only species of the Sesbania genus that is native to Hawaii, and it is now part of the U.S. Endangered Species list. Ohai flowers are large and colorful, which makes them ideal for ornamental use such as making leis and craft items. Ohai are especially useful in the coastal areas because they tolerate environmental conditions such as sea spray, wind and full sun so well. Two populations of ohai on Lanai were last seen in the early 1950s, soon after axis deer were introduced from Southeast Asia. Deer and other introduced game trample and consume the young plants and eat the bark from older plants, thus devastating the plant colonies. Plant protection from grazing, fencing and weed control are some of the techniques used for ohai preservation.
Tags: risk extinction, alien plant, alien plant species, critically imperiled, Hawaii native, Hawaii native plant, individual plants