The Hawaiian tropical rainforests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in the Hawaiian Islands. They cover an area of 6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi) in the windward lowlands and montane regions of the islands. Coastal mesic forests are found at elevations from sea level to 300 m (980 ft). Mixed mesic forests occur at elevations of 750 to 1,250 m, while wet forests are found from 1,250 to 1,700 m. Moist bogs and shrublands exist on montane plateaus and depressions. For the 28 million years of existence of the Hawaiian Islands, they have been isolated from the rest of the world by vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean, and this isolation has resulted in the evolution of an incredible diversity of endemic species, including fungi, mosses, snails, birds, and other wildlife. In the lush, moist forests high in the mountains, trees are draped with vines, orchids, ferns, and mosses. This ecoregion includes one of the world's wettest places, the slopes of Mount Waiʻaleʻale, which average 373 in (9,500 mm) of rainfall per year.
Polyscias racemosa, or false 'ohe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. As Munroidendron racemosum, the species was until recently considered to be the only species in the monotypic genus Munroidendron. With the change in classification, Munroidendron is now obsolete. Polyscias racemosa is endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is very rare in the wild and some of its original habitat has been replaced by sugar cane plantations. It was thought for some time to be probably extinct, but was rediscovered a few years prior to 1967.
Hibiscadelphus giffardianus is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is endemic to the Big Island of Hawaii. It is believed to be extinct in the wild; any remaining plants are threatened by habitat loss. Cultivated plants exist in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It inhabits mixed mesic forests on the slopes of Mauna Loa at elevations of 1,200–1,310 m (3,940–4,300 ft). Associated plants include ʻōhiʻa lehua, koa, mānele, hoio, pilo, māmaki, kōpiko, olopua, alani, ʻaʻaliʻi, and naio. H. giffardianus is a small tree, reaching a height of 7 m (23 ft) and trunk diameter of 30 cm (12 in).
Hibiscadelphus woodii, or "Wood's hau kuahiwi", is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, endemic to Kauai, Hawaii. It is a small tree, reaching a height of 2.5–5 m (8.2–16.4 ft).
Melicope haupuensis is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae known by the common names Haupa Mountain melicope and Pacific pelea. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is known only from the island of Kauai. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope knudsenii, commonly known as Olokele Valley melicope or Knudsen's melicope, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It inhabits montane mesic forests dominated by Acacia koa, Metrosideros polymorpha, and Dicranopteris linearis on Kauaʻi and East Maui (Auwahi). Associated plants include Syzygium sandwicensis, Cheirodendron trigynum, Myrsine lessertiana, Ilex anomala, Alphitonia ponderosa, Zanthoxylum dipetalum, Kadua terminalis, Pleomele aurea, Bobea spp., Tetraplasandra waimeae, Xylosma hawaiiense, Eurya sandwicensis, Psychotria mariniana, Melicope anisata, Melicope barbigera, Pouteria sandwicensis, Dodonaea viscosa, and Dianella sandwicensis. It is threatened by habitat loss. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Melicope ovalis, the wild pelea or Hana melicope, is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to Maui, of the Hawaiian Islands.
Melicope pallida, the pale melicope, is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope paniculata, the Lihue melicope, is a rare species of tree in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope puberula, the hairy melicope, is a species of plant in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani. In 2010 it was added to the endangered species list of the United States.
Melicope saint-johnii, the St. John's pelea or St. John's melicope, is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is present only on the island of Oahu. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Myrsine is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It contains about 200 species, including several notable radiations, such as the matipo of New Zealand and the kōlea of Hawaiʻi. In the United States, members of this genus are known as colicwood. Some species, especially M. africana, are grown as ornamental shrubs.
Aglycyderini is a tribe of belids, primitive weevils of the family Belidae. Like in other belids, their antennae are straight, not elbowed as in the true weevils (Curculionidae). They occur only on the Pacific Islands and in the Macaronesian region.
Thyrocopa is a genus of moths in the family Xyloryctidae endemic to Hawaii. The taxon has approximately forty species, including some flightless species.
Melicope adscendens is a rare species of flowering plant in the citrus family known by the common name auwahi melicope. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Maui. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope degeneri is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae known by the common names Kokee Stream melicope and Degener's pelea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope lydgatei is a rare species of flowering plant in the citrus family known by the common names Koolau Range melicope and Lydgate's pelea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the Koolau Range on the island of Oahu. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope munroi is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae known by the common names lanahale and Munro's pelea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Lanai. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope reflexa, the reflexed pelea or lava melicope, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is found only on the island of Molokai. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Poa mannii is a rare species of grass known by the common names Mann's bluegrass and Olokele Gulch bluegrass. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is limited to the island of Kauai. It is threatened by the loss and modification of its habitat. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
