Scientific name: Pleomele hawaiiensis

Hawaiian Name: Hala pepe

Classification: Phylum: Monocotyledonae. Family: Agavaceae.

Origin: Endemic.

Status: Endangered.

Distribution: Big Island.

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This branching Big Island tree is closely related to cultivated dracaenas (including the popular "Lucky Bamboo", which is a dracaena too). Fewer than 150 plants remain in open ‘a‘a lava flows in lowland dry forests from Kohala to Manuka along the Kona coast and along the souther slopes of Kilauea volcano.

Its survival is threatened by cattle, goat, and pig damage, competition from weedy plants, and loss of habitat due to development.