Researchers at the National Tropical Botanical Garden have rediscovered the native Hawaiian plant Hibiscadelphus woodii. Photo: Ken Wood/National Tropical Botanical Garden
A rare, cliff-dwelling, Hawaiian hibiscus flower–scientifically known as Hibiscadelphus woodii–that was previously declared extinct has now been rediscovered thanks to drone technology. The bright yellow flower makes its home on rugged cliff faces of Kalalau Valley on Kaua’i, Hawaii, a place difficult for scientists to physically access. As NatGeo explained, “the recent drone rediscovery of H. woodii leaves scientists excited about the potential for this technology to find new species—and rediscover ones thought to be extinct.”
