Gardenia brighamii


Gardenia brighamii, commonly known as nānū, nau, or forest gardenia, is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.

Description

Gardenia brighamii is a small tree, reaching a height of. The glossy, dark green leaves are ovate, long and wide. The petals of the solitary, white flowers are fused at the base to form a tube in length and have six lobes.

Gallery

Habitat and range

Forest gardenia inhabits tropical dry forests at elevations of. It previously could be found on all main islands, but today populations only exist on Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Lānai, and the Big Island.

Conservation

The total population of G. brighamii is between 15 and 19 trees. There are only two plants in the wild on Oahu and one on the Big Island. Major threats to the survival of this species include loss of dry forest habitat and the establishment of invasive species, such as fountain grass.

Uses

made kua kuku and pou from the wood of nānū. A yellow kapa dye was derived from the fruit pulp. The white, fragrant flowers are used in lei. Today, it is grown as an ornamental plant on the islands.