Gardenia

Gardenia brighamii

The Hawaiian Gardenia (Gardenia brighamii ), also known as Nanu in Hawaiian, is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a small tree up to 20 feet (6.096 meters) in height, with trunks up to 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) in diameter and somewhat smooth. The tree has white flowers that are very fragrant. Only six populations are known on the islands of Moloka`i, O`ahu, and Lana`i totaling about 15 to 19 individual trees; it was once found also on Maui and Hawai`i but is believed to be gone from those islands now.

At present, a total of 15-19 Hawaiian Gardenia trees remain in the wild, all on private property.

The Hawaiian Gardenia was federally listed as an endangered species in 1985. The State of Hawai`i has funded the Hawai`i Plant Conservation Center’s efforts to collect and propagate seed from the Hawaiian Gardenia and other rare plants. These efforts have resulted in the successful cultivation of seeds from O`ahu sites and from one of the Lana`i populations (Kanepu`u). The State has also pursued cooperative agreements with local botanical gardens to promote the conservation of Hawaiian plants, including the Hawaiian Gardenia.

Gardenia jasminoides: evergreen shrub widely cultivated for its large fragrant waxlike white flowers and glossy leaves [syn: cape jasmine, cape jessamine, Gardenia jasminoides, Gardenia augusta