Urera kaalae
Wawra
Urticaceae
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)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
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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