Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Hibiscus brackenridgei is Hawai'i's State flower. Hibiscus brackenridgei can sometimes become a small tree growing up to 10 meters tall. In the garden it is often grows to be a 1 to 3 meter tall shrub. Young plants have smooth tan trunks; the trunks of older plants have a wrinkled appearance. The fuzzy leaves have toothed edges, 3, 5, or 7 lobes, and are up to 6 inches long and equally wide.
The large flowers are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. They are yellow, generally with a maroon center, and form singly or in small clusters at the ends of the branches. The staminal column is yellow. Garnett reports that the flowers open between 2 and 4 p.m. and close between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Spring through early summer is the main blooming season with occasional flowers during the rest of the year. Garnett reports a flowering season of January through March for the subspecies found on O'ahu. The seeds of Hibiscus brackenridgei are contained in 3/8 to 3/4 inch oval capsules. The capsule is covered with soft hairs. It is dry and tan when mature and opens to release the seeds. The seeds are 1/8 inch long, kidney-shaped, and covered with fine hairs.
(Wagner,W.L.,Herbst,D.R.,Sohmer,S.H. 1990. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Bornhorst.1996; Criley 1998.1999;Garnett.1988;Koob.1999)

Threats:
1. Feral and wild ungulates
2. Alien plant species
3. Low number of individuals
4. Fire
5. Invertebrates
6. Rats
7. Development
(USFWS.1999.2001)

Current Management Summary:
1. Fenced exclosure of outplanting at Puuwaawaa/Kaupulehu area.
2. Fenced exclosure of Kaunohua Gulch, Maui population.
3. In April, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that a designation of critical habitat was prudent for this species.
(USFWS.2002)

Research Management Needs:
1. Construct more exclosures to protect the other wild populations.
2. Control competing alien plant species.
3. Enhance wild populations and establish new populations.
4. Protect from fire.
5. Monitoring of existing plants.
6. Control feral and wild ungulates.
7. Control rats.
8. Control invertebrates.
(USFWS.1999.)

Ex Situ Needs:
1. Genetic studies.
2. Physiological studies.
3. Seed banking.
4. Ex situ plantings in botanical gardens.
5. Increase genetic stock through propagation.
(USFWS.1999)

Hibiscus brackenridgei is native to dry forests and shrub lands at elevations from 400 to 2,600 feet. It is found on all the main Hawaiian islands except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe, but it is not common in any location
(Wagner,W.L.,Herbst,D.R.,Sohmer,S.H. 1990. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)

Distribution:
Molokai-historically known at Laau Point but now thought to be extinct.
Lanai-Near Keomuku Road.
West Maui-Kaunohua Gulch and the West Maui Natural Area Reserve
East Maui- Near Puu o Kali and Keokea, now extincted.
Hawai`i- Lalamilo and Puu Anahulu
(USFWS 1999.2003.)

Little is known about the life history of this plant. Pollination biology, longevity, specific environmental requirements and limiting factors are unknown.(USFWS.1999)

Hau blossoms, ancient symbols of the human soul, are ephemeral. Unfurling yellow in the morning, turning orange in the afternoon, and withering to a dark pinkish orange by nightfall, they flowers are replaced daily.
(Kepler,A.K.1983. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. brackenridgei is listed as an endangered species.
Number Left:
Lana'i- 1 population
Maui- 5 populations
Hawai'i- 2 populations
Less than 60 plants total remain.
(USFWS.1999.2001)

We currently have 10 herbarium specimens for Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. brackenridgei in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• S047698 - collected by Steve Perlman in Unknown
• 012691 - collected by John J. Fay in 1974
• 012650 - collected by John J. Fay in 1974
• 014623 - collected by Steve Perlman in 1987
• 013555 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1990
• 012620 - collected by Steve Perlman in 1991
• 012687 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1992
• 021619 - collected by Steve Perlman in 1996
• 043954 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1998
• 082213 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2018