Plant on the Brink of Extinction

Flowers Koki'o

The tree is very rare endemic tree in Hawaii. This tree was discovered in 1860, at which time there were only three remaining specimens could be found. This tree proved difficult to breed, and in 1950, after the last seedling died, the tree was thought to be extinct. In 1970 the only surviving tree was found, which unfortunately was destroyed in a fire in 1978. Luckily one of the branches of the tree can be saved and the remaining successfully transplanted, and now there are 23 trees that exist today, all of which are located in various places in Hawaii. This tree is a small tree that grows to about 10-11 feet tall. The most striking of these trees are hundreds of bright red flowers that mature trees produce annually. Unfortunately, because of its rarity, only a few people are allowed to see it.