| Cyrtandra cyaneoides | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Gesneriaceae |
| Genus: | Cyrtandra |
| Species: | C. cyaneoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyrtandra cyaneoides | |
Cyrtandra cyaneoides is a rare species of flowering plant in theAfrican violet family known by the common namemāpele. It isendemic toKauaʻi inHawaiʻi, where it is known from eleven populations containing a total of under 800 individual plants. Several of these were discovered between 2003 and 2008.[2] It is ashrub that grows 1 to 6 meters tall, bears white flowers, and egg-shaped berries.[3] It was federally listed as anendangered species in 1996.[4]
The plant grows in wet forest habitat, sometimes on cliffs or next to streams. It grows alongside other native plants such asʻākōlea (Boehmeria grandis),hōʻiʻo (Diplazium sandwichianum),ʻieʻie (Freycinetia arborea),ʻapeʻape (Gunnera kauaiensis), and several otherCyrtandra species. Theunderstory also contains manyferns andbryophytes such asmosses andliverworts. Many of the trees hostepiphytes. The habitat is alsoinvaded bynon-native plants such asKoster's curse (Clidemia hirta),kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), andAustralian tree fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi); these weedscompete with native flora for resources.[2]
The habitat is also degraded byrats, which eat the seeds of māpele.[2]
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