Abutilon menziesii

Abutilon menziesii
Abutilon menziesii in flower
Conservation status
Critically endangered
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Abutilon Species: A. menziesii
Binomial name
Abutilon menziesii Seem.

Abutilon menziesii ("Ko'oloa'ula" in Hawaiian) is an endangered Hawaiian endemic shrub that grows in dry forests on the islands of Lanai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawai'i. Currently, only about 500 plants remain in fewer than ten naturally-occurring populations throughout the islands. The rarity of this plant can be attributed to the alteration of its habitat for agricultural and urban development, overgrazing by livestock and feral animals, and competition from invasive weeds. A conservation plan is currently being implemented by federal and state agencies to protect remaining habitat, establish new populations, and conserve genetic material in seed banks and botanical gardens.

References

• Bruegmann & Caraway (2003). Abutilon menziesii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered

External links

• United States Botanic Garden
• Abutilon menziesii information from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR)

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Abutilon menziesii

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