Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus
| Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Hibiscadelphus |
| Species: | †H. crucibracteatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus Hobdy
| |
Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus (lava hau kuahiwi)[3] is an extinct species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae that was endemic to Hawaii, on the island of Lānaʻi.
The single known specimen was discovered on the Puhielelu ridge in 1981 and has since died, with collected seeds failing to germinate.[1]
Taxonomy
It was described in 1984 by American botanist Robert W. Hobdy, based on a single specimen discovered by Peter Connally in 1981. It was most closely related to Hibiscadelphus wilderianus and Hibiscadelphus giffardianus, differing most notably in the shape and size of the bracts, capsules, and petals.[4]
Description
Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus was a tree, reaching about 6 meters (19 feet) in height with a rounded crown. The bark was smooth and gray. The papery leaves grew 7 to 10 centimeters (2.7 to 3.9 inches) long and 7 to 8 centimeters (2.7 to 3.1 inches) wide, and were heart-shaped, with five to seven prominent veins. Flowers were borne singly on 2 to 3.5 centimeter (.78 to 1.1 inch) long peduncles.[4]
Distribution and Habitat
The single known specimen was discovered growing in a remnant pocket of moist native forest on an eroded, sparsely vegetated ridge on Lānaʻi's windward slopes. It was growing alongside kauila (Alphitonia ponderosa), hame (Antidesma platyphyllum), Diospyros ferrea, ʻālaʻa (Planchonella sandwichensis), ʻopiko (Pscyhotria mauiensis), lanai hala pepe (Pleomele fernaldii), ʻōhiʻa ha (Syzygium sandwicense), and āulu (Rockia sandwicensis).
Conservation
Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus is classified as Extinct by the IUCN and possibly extinct by NatureServe. This species has only been discovered once in the wild, with the single known tree dying within a few years of its discovery due to depredation damage inflicted by the introduced chital (Axis axis) despite it having been fenced to protect from deer damage.[5] Although seed was collected on multiple occasions, all attempts at cultivation or propagation failed. As there are still pockets of suitable habitat, there is a possibility that other individuals may still exist.[1]
References
- ^ a b c World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T33556A9793280. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33556A9793280.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus. NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ NRCS. "Hibiscadelphus crucibracteatus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ a b Hobdy, Robert W. (30 April 1984). "A Re-evaluation of the Genus Hibiscadelphus (Malvaceae) and the Description of a New Species" (PDF). Occasional Papers of Bernice P. Bishop Museum. XXV (11).
- ^ Lorence, David H.; Wagner, Warren L. (1995). "Another New, Nearly Extinct Species of Hibiscadelphus (Malvaceae) from the Hawaiian Islands". Novon. 5 (2): 183–187. doi:10.2307/3392243. ISSN 1055-3177.