Gardenia brighamii
| Gardenia brighamii | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Gardenia |
| Species: | G. brighamii |
| Binomial name | |
| Gardenia brighamii H.Mann[2] |
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Gardenia brighamii, commonly known as Nānū, Naʻu, or Forest Gardenia, is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii.[3]
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[edit] Description
G. brighamii is a small tree, reaching a height of 5 m (16 ft).[3] The glossy, dark green leaves[4] are ovate, 2.2–10.5 cm (0.87–4.1 in) long and 1.5–5.5 cm (0.59–2.2 in) wide. The petals of the solitary, white flowers are fused at the base to form a tube 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) in length and have six lobes.
[edit] Habitat and range
Forest Gardenia inhabits tropical dry forests at elevations of 350–520 m (1,150–1,710 ft). It previously could be found on all main islands, but today populations only exist on Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, and Lānaʻi, and the Big Island.[3]
[edit] Conservation
The total population of G. brighamii is between 15 and 20 trees. There are only two plants in the wild on Oʻahu and one on the Big Island.[5] Major threats to the survival of this species include loss of dry forest habitat and the establishment of invasive species, such as Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum).[3]
[edit] Uses
Native Hawaiians made kua kuku (kapa anvils)[3] and pou (house posts) from the wood of nānū.[5] A yellow kapa dye was derived from the fruit pulp.[6] The white, fragrant flowers are used in lei. Today, it is grown as an ornamental plant on the islands.[5]
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gardenia brighamii |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Gardenia brighamii |
- ^ Bruegmann, M.M. & Caraway, V. 2003. Gardenia brighamii. 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Taxon: Gardenia brighamii H. Mann". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-08-28. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?320292. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
- ^ a b c d e "Gardenia brighamii (Rubiaceae)". Meet the Plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden. http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=5346. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
- ^ "Gardenia brighamii". CPC National Collection Plant Profile. Center for Plant Conservation. 2010-03-04. http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=1994. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
- ^ a b c Barboza, Rick (2006-09-08). "Rare plant’s fragrance has hint of coconut". Honolulu Star-bulletin 11 (251). http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/09/08/features/garden.html.
- ^ "nanu, nau". Hawaii Ethnobotany Online Database. Bernice P. Bishop Museum. http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=nanu. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
[edit] External links
- "Gardenia brighamii". Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/gar-brig.htm.
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