Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_hibiscus_clayi
Clay hibiscus
Hibiscus clayi
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About Clay hibiscus
Clay hibiscus (Hibiscus clayi) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and recorded on Kauaʻi. Shrub or small tree with glossy green, narrowly elliptic to ovate leaves that are entire or toothed toward the tip.
Kauaʻi evidence
Taxonomy, nativity, island-level occurrence, growth form, names, and source conservation assessments are documented in the 2026 census audit. Broader ecology and conservation recommendations still require claim-level source review. Generated imagery is not occurrence evidence.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Hibiscus clayi
- Common names
- Clay hibiscus · Clay's hibsicus
- Hawaiian names
- Kokiʻo ʻula
- Other names
- Clay hibiscus · Hibiscus clayi · Hibiscus newhousei · Clay's hibsicus · Kokiʻo ʻula
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Order
- Malvales
- Record type
- Species or taxonomic group
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Recorded on Kauaʻi
- Origin
- Endemic
- Conservation status
- Smithsonian checklist assessment: Endangered; U.S. source status: Endangered
- Evidence date
- 2026-10-05
- Evidence limits
- Island-level occurrence is retained; finer locality is intentionally withheld. Growth-form tags describe the taxon across its range, not a measured Kauaʻi population. Checklist source statuses are not a new legal-status determination.
Habitat and ecology
- Habitats
- Dry to mesic forest remnants
- Food and resource needs
- Light, water, nutrients, and suitable soil or substrate
- Reproduction
- Viable propagules and suitable establishment conditions
- Shelter
- Suitable soil, substrate, and vegetation structure
- Growth form
- Tree; Shrub
Threats and conservation
- Threats
- Very small populations, weeds, ungulates, fire, hybridization risk
- Conservation actions
- Ex situ propagation, outplanting, fencing, genetic tracking
- Monitoring
- Ex situ propagation, outplanting, fencing, genetic tracking
- Data gaps
- Additional ecological and conservation citations are recommended
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal timing
- Not assessed
- Seasonal description
- Clay hibiscus (Hibiscus clayi) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and recorded on Kauaʻi. Shrub or small tree with glossy green, narrowly elliptic to ovate leaves that are entire or toothed toward the tip.
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