Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Hawaiian Name 'Älula Common Names "Cabbage on a stick", 'Olulu, or Hähä Scientific Name Brighamia insignis Pictures Keawe Whole Plant Stem Leaves Location On Campus This plant is located at Keawe, in the garden between the Alice Knapp West dorm and the gym.   Natural Habitat  The natural habitat of the ‘Älula is on the sea cliffs of Moloka‘i, the Nä Pali coast of Kaua‘i, and the dry shrubland and mesic forest of Ni‘ihau. Cultural Information The ‘Älula is endemic to the islands of Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i. It is also an endangered plant of the islands. Plant Description Roots: Doesn't like to be continuously wet Tap root Stem: Unbranched 1 to 5 meters tall Tall, stout, and fleshy Larger at the base Woody stem Soft wood Grows straight up from off the ground Leaves: Fleshy Large and cabbage like Pinnate venation Entire margins Simple type leaf Used to wrap and cook food in the early Hawaiian days Flowers: Can be 15.24 cm Long and straight Fruit: Capsule type 2 longitudinal slits on fruit At first fleshy, as it gets older, it dries out The fruits are not edible Seeds: 1 cm in length About half as wide as tall Mature seeds are cream colored or light yellow Pollinators: Moths, but they now have to be pollinated by botanists because the insects do not visit this plant anymore so botanists must climb up the sea cliffs just to hand pollinate it Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Normally dies after flowering Must trade pollen in order to create a new flower Propagation/ Cultivation: By planting the seeds in dry soil and very little water on the roots Must be planted high up in the ground so that the roots can grow Interesting or other facts: Must be hand pollinated in nature Web Site Links ‘Älula: Brighamia Insignis This website has three beautiful pictures of the ‘Älula plant, with the flowers and the names of it. Brighamia This website has a beautiful picture of the ‘Älula, with some information on the surroundings of it, and how tall it can grow & basic background information on the plant.  Brighamia Insignis This website includes scientific information on the ‘Älula.   References  Barboza, Rick. "In the Garden" Honolulu Star Bulletin. 30 August 2002.  Center for Plant Conservation. A. Gray. 11 April 2002. <http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/cpcweb/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=630> Kimura, Bert and Kenneth Nagata. Hawai'i's Vanishing Flora. Honolulu, Oriental Publishing Company, 1980. Wagner, Warren, and Derral Herbst and S.H. Sohmer. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i. Honolulu, Bishop Museum, 1990. Return to Top

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