x PLANTS x
Non-Vascular plants
Non- indigenous Moss (Hypnum plumaeforme) It is present along most of the roadways and trails in moderate to high rainfall areas of the park. It is especially abundant along roads, trails, and lawns from from Namakani Paio campground and Kipuka Puaulu to Puhimau Crater, one of the park’s volcanoes. Hypnum plumaeforme is important in its ecosystem because the plant can be a source of food for others in its area. |
Seedless vascular plants
Hapu'u (Cibotium splendens) Hapu'u is unique to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park because a trough is left where rainwater may collect and provide a breeding place for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes can transmit avian malaria, one cause of the decline and extinction of the native birds of Hawaii. |