Kauai Treecotton

Description

Kokia kauaiensis, the Kauai treecotton or Kaua-i Koki-o, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is endemic to Kaua-i, Hawaii.It inhabits coastal mesic and mixed mesic forests at elevations of 350-660 m (1,150-2,170 ft). Associated plants include -ahakea (Bobea spp.), koa (Acacia koa), lama (Diospyros sandwicensis), manono (Hedyotis spp.), hala pepe (Pleomele aurea), aupaka (Isodendrion spp.), papala kepau (Pisonia spp.), olopua (Nestegis sandwicensis), --hi-a h- (Syzygium sandwicensis), hame (Antidesma spp.), maile (Alyxia oliviformis), --la-a (Pouteria sandwicensis), a-ia-i (Streblus pendulinus), alahe-e (Psydrax odorata), uluhe (Dicranopteris linearis), aloalo (Hibiscus spp.), m-hamehame (Flueggea neowawraea), alani (Melicope spp.), palapalai lau li-i (Asplenium laciniatum), -ohe-ohe (Tetraplasandra spp.), -akoko (Euphorbia celastroides), nehe (Lipochaeta fauriei), -a-ali-i (Dodonaea viscosa), -iliahi (Santalum spp.), po-ol- (Claoxylon sandwicense), and --hi-a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha).Kaua-i Koki-o is a small tree, reaching a height of 5-10 m (16-33 ft). It is threatened by habitat loss.