Melicope quadrangularis

Melicope quadrangularis, also called four angle melicope[2] or four-angled pelea, is a species of plant in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is known only from the island of Kauai.[3] It is threatened by habitat loss.

Melicope quadrangularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Melicope
Species:
M. quadrangularis
Binomial name
Melicope quadrangularis
(H.St.John & Hume) T.G.Hartley & B.C.Stone

The type specimen of this species was collected in 1909. The plant was not seen again, and was presumed extinct, until 1991 when it was rediscovered. At that time there were 13 plants counted.[1] This population had disappeared by 1998 and was likely destroyed in Hurricane Iniki.[4] By 2010 no additional plants had been discovered, there are none growing in cultivation, and there are no seeds in storage. However, there may be specimens still alive in unsurveyed areas.[4]

References

  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Melicope quadrangularis. 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 30 May 2011.
  2. "Melicope quarangularis". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  3. Melicope quadrangularis. The Nature Conservancy.
  4. USFWS. Melicope quadrangularis Five-year Review. August 2010.


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