Hibiscadelphus

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. In this genus, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, there are 7 species, 4 now extinct and 3 endangered. Of the 3 surviving species, H. distans is the only one with a wild population left.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. In this genus, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, there are 7 species, 4 now extinct and 3 endangered. Of the 3 surviving species, H. distans is the only one with a wild population left.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. Of the 3 remaining species of Hibiscadelphus, H. giffardianus has the largest leaves, flowers and fruit capsules. The flowers and leaves of H. hualalaiensis and H. distans are similar in size.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. Note the fruit capsule in the background.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. Photo shows leaves and some old fruit capsules.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. Note fuit capsules on either side of the flower. Also, note the dull red color on corolla which usually forms late in bloom.

Endemic to Kauai and endangered. Note the number of involucral bracts and length. H. hualalaiensis has fewer bracts and much shorter length.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.