The Hawaiian Gardenia by Abriana Description The gardenia's Hawaiian name is Nanu. The Nanu is a small tree that grows up to about 20 feet with a trunk about 12 inches. The tree has white flowers that are very fragrant. Nanu can be houseplants. Nanu can be hard to grow because it’s supposed to grow in warm areas. It needs high humidity.
Extinct Some Nanu are known to be on the islands of Oahu and Lanai. The Nanu was once found on Maui, Molokai, and the island of Hawaii, but is believed to be gone from all three of the islands now. All but one of the trees on Hawaii were destroyed by a road repair crew in 1930. The remaining one survived in the wild at least until 1955 when it was collected by naturalist J.F. Rock. The place of this tree is unknown. Only one was reported on Maui at the head of Olowalu valley but it is believed to be gone today.
Habitat The Hawaiian Nanu is found in the dry shrubs and forests on the islands of Molokai, Oahu, Lanai. All populations of this tree are threatened by alien plants, animals that eat plants, fires and diseases . At present, a total of 12 gardenia trees remain in the world.
What We Can Do We can preserve some planting areas for the Nanu to grow. Also we can try to keep the Nanu away from predators, like animals that eat Nanu. Construction crews need to use care around the plant. Plus, scientist can help by finding out about diseases that kill the Nanu.
Bibliography "Gardenia brighamii." Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 19 June 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenia_brighamii>. "Endangered Species In Hawaii." Honolulu Civil Beat. Peer News LLC, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.civilbeat.com/topics/endangered-species-in-hawaii/>. "Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Gardenia." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pacific Fish and Wildlife office.. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pacific Fish and Wildlife office., 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/flora/HIgardenia.html>. Kobayashi, Kent D. "Common Gardenia." http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/of-32.pdf. May 2006. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
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