Kilauea Hau Kuahiwi

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered(2 extinct in wild, now cultivated) . This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandLeaves the size of dinner plates!Hibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.The Hawaiian name Hau kuahiwi literally means "hau of the mountains" or "upland hau," referring to it's resemblance of hau and mountain habitat. Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a Polynesian introduced plant from in the lowlands.Closeup of leaveswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5516739572/in/photolist-...Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5516736244/in/photolist-...EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.Saving a Rare Hibiscadelphus From Extinction:A 2002 article entitled "A Tree's Tribulation" by Jenell Talley relates how a plant teetering on survival can be saved from total extinction by the efforts of a few conscientious people: "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus, also called hau kuahiwi, is endemic to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The species was first described in 1911 by Austrian botanist Joseph Rock. Before the original tree died in 1930, cuttings were collected and at least one tree was propagated on land adjacent to what is now Hawaii Volcanoes. This tree died in 1940, but one cutting remained, keeping the species alive. The plant survived in cultivation and was replanted in the park in the 1950s. The species has been reduced to a single tree at least three times. Each tree is derived from the 1911 original."She continues: "Steps are being taken to increase the tree population, although currently Belfield, Linda Pratt, a botanist working for the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center, and Tim Tunison, chief of resources management at Hawaii Volcanoes, are the only scientists dedicated to the recovery effort. The tree has no specific recovery program, but Belfield is working on the park's Rare Plants Stabilization Project, which began last year. The project focuses on examining the status of rare and endangered plant species, including the H. giffardianus, in four ecological zones in the park. Seeds, fruit, and cuttings are collected and raised in the park's greenhouse, then planted in the park. More than 200 trees have been planted in the last few years as part of an experiment conducted by U.S. Geological Survey researchers to study damage caused by rats. Despite these efforts, more work remains before the trees can make it off the endangered list. "It is unrealistic to imagine that this species will ever be delisted unless it goes extinct," Pratt says, adding, that reintroducing the species to its natural habitat and having it be self-sustaining is the park's goal."nativeplants.hawaii.edu

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 4 are extinct while remaining 3 are endangered (2 extinct in wild; all 3 cultivated). This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Genus endemic to Hawaiian Islands. Of 7 species in genus, 3 are extinct while remaining 4 are endangered. This species was down to 1 tree in 1911 near the location of this photo, northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. Cultivation has allowed this species to persist with current small population.

Hau kuahiwi or Klauea hau kuahiwiMalvaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: Critically Endangered Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandFlower budsHibiscadelphus is an endemic Hawaiian genus of 8 species, of which half are considered extinct with the remaining ones rare and endangered.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscadelphus is from the Greek hibiscum, marsh mallow, and delphi, brother, meaning "brother of Hibiscus," suggesting their close affiliation to the genus Hibiscus.

Several Hibiscadelphus giffardianus trees in photo with ones on left and right sides, one laying nearly horizontal further back at lower third of photo, and a clump of several trees 5-7 m tall in middle of photo. Endangered endemic plant.

Of this endemic genus of 6 species, 3 are now extinct while the 3 remaining are all endangered. This species was reduced to 1 tree in 1911 and exists due to cultivation. This photo was taken in Kipuka Puaulu.

This photo was taken in Kipuka Ki at around 4300 ft. (1311 m), a second population on NE Mauna Loa.

This photo was taken in Kipuka Ki at around 4300 ft. (1311 m), a second population on NE Mauna Loa.

This photo was taken in Kipuka Ki at around 4300 ft. (1311 m), a second population on NE Mauna Loa.

This photo was taken in Kipuka Ki at around 4300 ft. (1311 m), with my son Owen showing how large the leaves are.

Photo shows the woody fruit capsule. The number of fruit observed is fairly small, perhaps due to decreased pollination and/or consumption by invasive rats. A study showed 90% of H. giffardianus seeds were eaten by rats.