Common Name:

General Information

Urera kaalae is a shrub or small tree growing 2 - 8 metres tall[].
The plant used to be harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre.
There are olny nine remaining subpopulations of this species, comprising approximately 40 individuals, that are known to exist. Damage and habitat degradation, caused by feral pigs and introduced plants, are the greatest threats to its continued existence. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

The plant has stinging hairs.

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - Hawaii.

Habitat

A rare plant in mesic forests, growing in gulches and on slopes, at elevations from 300 - 760 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A fast-growing shrub or tree[].
Presumably a dioecious species, in which case both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for cordage to make nets and, occasionally, for making tapa cloth[].

Propagation

Seed -

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