Ko'oloa 'ula / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Ko'oloa 'ula (Abutilon menziesii)

This shot shows the maroon-to-pink flowers hanging like bells from the leaf axils. Photo Credit: Waimea Arboretum
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Malvaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 129364
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

Abutilon menziesii is a beautiful shrub with velvety light green, heart shaped leaves. Its flowers range from pale pink to maroon and are borne singularly at the base of the leaves. Abutilon menziesii has apparently been uncommon since its discovery in the 1800's, and is currently found in the dry forests of Lana`i, East Maui and Hawai`i. In 1981, a specimen collection was made in an abandoned cane field at Ewa, on the island of Oah`u and identified as Abutilon menziesii. It was thought at the time to be an escape from cultivation, but today plants located at the Ewa location are recognized as a distinct, naturally occurring population.

Where is Ko'oloa 'ula (Abutilon menziesii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Seasonally dry steep eroded slopes and along washed out gullies, 200-520 meters in elevation.

Distribution:

Lana`i East Maui Puako,Hawai`i Ewa, O`ahu

States & Provinces:

Ko'oloa 'ula can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Ko'oloa 'ula (Abutilon menziesii)?

  • Waimea Arboretum Foundation

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    The Port Royal Foundation

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 07/20/23
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    • 07/31/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Propagation via cuttings and seed. (USFWS 1995)

    • 07/31/2020
      • Reintroduction

    Establishment of new field populations. (USFWS 1995)

    • 07/31/2020
      • Seed Collection

    Seed collection Monitoring Ewa, O`ahu population is being propagated and relocated. (USFWS 1995)

    • 07/31/2020
      • Genetic Research

    Propagation Genetic studies Physiological studies Seed banking (USFWS 1995)

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Endemic to the islands of Oahu, Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii, this species numbers fewer than 500 plants. Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the species' low elevation dry habitat has been destroyed or altered by agriculture, urban development, alien plants and animals, and fire.

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Agriculture and development Alien plants Alien mammals-browsing, trampling Rats Fire Insects-Chinese rose beetle Loss of pollinators (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Lana`i- 2 populations, Pu`u Mahanalua and north or Kaumalapau Road. East Maui- 5 populations, Kalialinui Gulch drainage (3), vicinity of Pu`u o kali near Kihei (2). Hawai`i- 1 population, Puako O`ahu- 1 population, Ewa Total plants approximately 450-500. (USFWS 1995) and (USFWS 2001)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Propagation via cuttings and seed. (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Seed collection Monitoring Ewa, O`ahu population is being propagated and relocated. (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Management of existing populations through exclosures, monitoring, removal of threats. Establishment of new field populations. (USFWS 1995)

    David Orr
    • 01/01/2010

    Propagation Genetic studies Physiological studies Seed banking (USFWS 1995)

    MORE

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Abutilon menziesii
    Authority Seem.
    Family Malvaceae
    CPC Number 13
    ITIS 21680
    USDA ABME2
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names ko'oloa 'ula
    Associated Scientific Names Abutilon menziesii
    Distribution Lana`i East Maui Puako,Hawai`i Ewa, O`ahu
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    This shot shows the maroon-to-pink flowers hanging like bells from the leaf axils. Photo Credit: Waimea Arboretum

    This shot shows the flower and parts, close up. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Huppman

    This plant is a vegetative duplicate of the population that sprung up in Kapolei, Hawaii while clearing land for a new shopping center.

    Photo Credit: Annissa Burcham

    This plant is a vegetative duplicate of the population that sprung up in Kapolei, Hawaii while clearing land for a new shopping center. A cloudy day allowed for shooting beneath the plant and a clean backdrop.

    Photo Credit: Annissa Burcham
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Butterflies & Moths
    Butterflies Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Birds
    Birds Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Reintroduction
    Lead Institution State Reintroduction Type Year of First Outplanting
    Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hawaii Reintroduction 2004

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