Nothocestrum breviflorum
Encyclopedia
Nothocestrum breviflorum, commonly known as Smallflower Aiea, is a species of tree
in the nightshade family, Solanaceae
, that is endemic to the island of Hawaii
. It inhabits dry
and mixed mesic forests at elevations of 180–1830 m (590.6–6,003.9 ft). These forests are dominated by ōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha
) and koa (Acacia koa) or lama (Diospyros sandwicensis
), while plants associated with Smallflower Aiea include wiliwili
(Erythrina sandwicensis) and uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kavaiensis
). N. breviflorum reaches a height of 10–12 m (32.8–39.4 ft). It is threatened by habitat loss. It is federally listed as an endangered species
of the United States. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining.
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
in the nightshade family, Solanaceae
Solanaceae
Solanaceae are a family of flowering plants that include a number of important agricultural crops as well as many toxic plants. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear...
, that is endemic to the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
. It inhabits dry
Hawaiian tropical dry forests
The Hawaiian tropical dry forests are a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion in the Hawaiian Islands. They cover an area of on the leeward side of the main islands and the summits of Niihau and Kahoolawe. These forests are either seasonal or sclerophyllous. Annual rainfall is less than and...
and mixed mesic forests at elevations of 180–1830 m (590.6–6,003.9 ft). These forests are dominated by ōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha
Metrosideros polymorpha
The ōhia lehua is a species of flowering evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that is endemic to the six largest islands of Hawaii. It is a highly variable tree, being tall in favorable situations, and much smaller when growing in boggy soils or on basalt...
) and koa (Acacia koa) or lama (Diospyros sandwicensis
Diospyros sandwicensis
Diospyros sandwicensis is a species of flowering tree in the ebony family, Ebenaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. Its common name, Lama, also means enlightenment in Hawaiian. Lama is a small to medium-sized tree, with a height of and a trunk diameter of . It can be found in dry, coastal mesic,...
), while plants associated with Smallflower Aiea include wiliwili
Wiliwili
Wiliwili is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is the only species of Erythrina that naturally occurs there. It is typically found in dry forests on leeward island slopes up to an elevation of .Wiliwili is occasionally seen in...
(Erythrina sandwicensis) and uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kavaiensis
Caesalpinia kavaiensis
Caesalpinia kavaiensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. Common names include Uhiuhi , Kāwau , and Kea . It is threatened by invasive species, particularly feral ungulates.-Description:C...
). N. breviflorum reaches a height of 10–12 m (32.8–39.4 ft). It is threatened by habitat loss. It is federally listed as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of the United States. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining.