Melicope haupuensis

Melicope haupuensis is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae known by the common names Haupa Mountain melicope[2] and Pacific pelea.[3] It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is known only from the island of Kauai.[3] It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.[4]

Melicope haupuensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Melicope
Species:
M. haupuensis
Binomial name
Melicope haupuensis

This is a tree growing to 8 meters in height with inflorescences of 5 to 7 flowers.[3] The species was discovered on Haupu Ridge on Kauai in 1927 and described to science in 1944. By 1994 there were only two plants known to remain, and by 2003 there were thirteen, including specimens located within Nā Pali Coast State Park. A 2008 survey found 30 individuals in three populations.[5]

This tree grows in moist forest habitat.[3] It is threatened by the degradation of this habitat by the activity of animals such as deer and rats, and by the presence of non-native plant species such as lantana (Lantana camara), thimbleberry (Rubus argutus), and kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum).[5]

References
  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Melicope haupuensis. 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 May 2011.
  2. USDA Plants Profile
  3. Melicope haupuensis. The Nature Conservancy.
  4. USFWS. Species Reports: Plants.
  5. USFWS. Melicope haupuensis Five-year Review. July 2009.


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