Clermontia hawaiiensis
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clermontia hawaiiensis, the Ê»ÅhÄ kÄpau, is a species of Hawaiian lobelioid endemic to HawaiÊ»i island, where it grows in Hawaiian tropical rainforests. Like other Hawaiian lobelioids, it is highly susceptible to damage from invasive grazing mammals such as feral pigs.
| Clermontia hawaiiensis | |
|---|---|
| |
| In flower, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, elevation 1200m | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Clermontia |
| Species: | C. hawaiiensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Clermontia hawaiiensis Hillebr. (1913) | |
Description
Clermontia hawaiiensis grows as a small tree, usually a few meters in height but potentially reaching up to 9 m (30 ft). It has leaves that grow up to 24 cm (9.4 in), white and purple flowers, and orange fruits approximately 30 mm (1.2 in) across.[2]
Flower
The flowers grow in an inflorescence grouping of 2-4. They are bisexual and have bilaterally symmetric with the sepals mimicking the shape and texture of the tubular petals. The 5â6.5 cm (2.0â2.6 in) perianth displays colors of greenish white, purples, and magentas.[3]
Seed and fruit
C. hawaiiensis produces a compact and bright orange in color fruit with horizontal ridges. The fruitsâ endocarp contains an abundance of seeds.[4]
Habitat and distribution
Clermontia hawaiiensis is endemic to the windward eastern side of HawaiÊ»i island, where it grows only in wet rainforests near the town of Volcano, Hawaii and the KÄ«lauea Caldera between elevations of 550â1,760 m (1,800â5,770 ft).[3] However, Its common in certain portions of the protected HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park in present day. Historically documented as far north as the east slopes of Mauna Kea by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Musesum.[5]
The symbiotic relationships between the endemic Hawaiian honeycreeper, with its long curved beak, and the Ê»ÅhÄ kÄpau has been impacted by many of the native birdsâ extinction. Furthermore, like other Hawaiian labelloids, it is also highly susceptible to damage from invasive grazing mammals, like the feral pig.[6]
Conservation
The Ê»ÅhÄ kÄpau is listed as a vulnerable endemic species to the Hawaiian Islands.[1]
