Ko’oloa’ula
Ko’oloa’ula
Names
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Ko’oloa’ula
- Scientific: Abutilon menziesii
Conservation Status
- Federal and State Listed as Endangered
Species Information
Ko’oloa’ula is a shrub in the mallow family (Malvaceae) 2 to 2.5 m (6.6 to 8.2 ft) tall with coarsely-toothed, silvery, heart-shaped leaves 2 to 8 cm (0.8 to 3.2 in) long. The flowers are medium red to dark red and about 2 cm (0.8 in) across. The capsules are hairy and five to eight-parted, usually with three seeds per cell.
Distribution
Ko’oloa’ula is found on Oa’hu, Lāna’i, Maui, and Hawai’i Island.
Habitat
Dry forest and lowland coastal plains on O’ahu, Maui, Hawai’i Island (It was extirpated from here, but saved in cultivation so it is being restored there) and Lāna’i.
Threats
- Puccinia heterospora, a nonnative rust fungus causing leaf spotting, curling, blight, and defoliation (Nelson, 2005)
- Habitat conversion as a result of agricultural practices and development
- Wildfire
- Competition with alien invasive plants
- Consumption by feral ungulates, and drought
Plans & Projects
- Abutilon menziesii 2011-2012 Status Report
- Draft DOFAW Abutilon menziesii Stabilization Plan 2017
- Department of Transportation’s Habitat Conservation Plan For Abutilon menziesii 2004-2005 Status Report
- Abutilon menziesii, Ko’oloa’ula 2019 HCP Status Update
References & Additional Resources
“Ko`Oloa`Ula (Abutilon Menziesii).” ECOS, https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3268.
Nelson, Scot. “Rust of Ko‘Oloa ‘Ula (Abutilon Menziesii).” Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Sept. 2005, https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/12421/PD-31.pdf.
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