Alula / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Alula (Brighamia insignis)

Closeup of specimen in native habitat. Notice the succulent stem. Photo Credit: K. Wood ©
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Campanulaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 142536
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

There are two threatened Brighamia species that are endemic to Hawaii (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2001). Current levels of wild seed production and regeneration are not thought to be sufficient enough to sustain wild populations. Poor seedling establishment due to competition with alien grasses is thought to be a contributing factor. The flower structure appears to favor outcrossing (pollination between different parent plants), however little pollination has been observed in wild populations. Some vegetative regeneration has been observed (USFWS 2000). The number of populations and individuals are rapidly declining. Historically wild populations have been lost from Ni`ihau and Kaua`i. In 2000, USFWS reported five populations totaling 45 to 65 individuals (USFWS 2000). In one year, only 20 individuals in four populations were recorded (USFWS 2001). This member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) is a potentially branched plant with a succulent stem that is bulbous at the bottom and tapers toward the top, ending in a compact rosette of fleshy leaves (USFWS 2000). It has clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in groups of three to eight in the leaf axils. Petals are fused into a tube 7 to 14 centimeters (3 to 6 in) long. The fruit is a capsule 13 to 19 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 in) long, which contains numerous seeds. This short-lived perennial species is a member of a unique endemic Hawaiian genus with only one other species (USFWS 1995).

Where is Alula (Brighamia insignis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

B. insignis is found from sea level to 480 meters (1,575 ft) elevation on rocky ledges with little soil or on steep sea cliffs. They are found in lowland dry grasslands or shrublands with annual rainfall usually less than 170 centimeters (65 in.) (USFWS 2000). Associated species with B. insignis include Artemisia sp. (ahinahina), Chamaesyce celastroides (akoko), Canthium odoratum (alahee), Eragrostis variabilis (kawelu), Heteropogon contortus (pili grass), Hibiscus kokio (kokio), Hibiscus saintjohnianus (kokio), Lepidium serra (anaunau), Lipochaeta succulenta (nehe), Munroidendron racemosum (no common name [NCN]), and Sida fallax (ilima).

Distribution:

B. insignis was historically known on Ni`ihau and Kauai from the headland between Honolulu and Waiahuakua Valleys along the Na Pali Coast, and from Kaali Spring on the island of Niihau. Currently, B.

States & Provinces:

Alula can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Alula (Brighamia insignis)?

  • National Tropical Botanical Garden

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund

    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Chicago Botanic Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/19/17

  • Missouri Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 03/13/23

  • Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 07/20/23

  • The Huntington

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 10/30/23
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Tina Stanley
    • 03/14/2023
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    Missouri Botanical Garden holds accessions of ​Brighamia insignis in orthodox seed banking.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Endemic to two areas on the island of Kauai (Napali and the Haupu Range), and Niihau. It is currently known only from Kauai, with approximately 60-70 plants remaining. Major threats to surviving individuals include predation and habitat degradation by feral goats and competition with alien plants species. This species is also vulnerable to disturbance by hikers, fire, and spider mite infestations.

    • 01/01/2010

    Threats to B. insignis include browsing and habitat degradation by feral goats, human disturbance, fire, and the exotic Carmine spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus), which has been observed as leaf herbivores. Competition from invasive introduced plant

    • 01/01/2010

    Number of Populations: 4 (USFWS 2001) Number of Plants: 20 (USFWS 2001)

    • 01/01/2010

    The seeds of B. insignis have been tested by the Center for Conservation Research and Training (CCRT) and the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), finding that they are orthodox and can tolerate freezing and drying. The laboratory germination time was one to two weeks (Yoshinaga 2002).

    • 01/01/2010

    NTBG currently has ex situ holdings of numerous seeds in its seed bank, which represents all four populations. In addition, there are plants that represent three populations growing in the nursery and 230 individuals representing two populations in the grounds of the Limahuli Botanic Garden and Preserve. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR, DOFAW) (Kauai District) outplanted 20 individuals of B. insignis at Kalepa and Nounou Forest reserve (USFWS 1995). There are plants in cultivation at Kilauea Lighthouse. Further reintroductions are planned.

    • 01/01/2010

    1. Wild populations of B. insignis need to be located and monitored. 2. Assess status of genetic diversity of B. insignis in the wild and cultivated populations. 3. Trial reintroduction studies need to be undertaken on secure sites for B. insignis. 4. Test the influence of weeding and fencing on populations of B. insignis. 5. Conduct pollination biology and seed dispersal mechanism studies. Recommendations derived from M.H. Chapin, M. Maunder, and USFWS (1995).

    • 01/01/2010

    1. Establish secure ex situ stock with full founder representation. 2. Develop proper horticultural protocols and pest management for B. insignis. 3. Maintain the genetic stock of ex situ plants. 4. Survey ex situ holdings and conduct molecular fingerprinting. Recommendations derived from M.H. Chapin, M. Maunder, and USFWS (1995).

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Brighamia insignis
    Authority A. Gray
    Family Campanulaceae
    CPC Number 630
    ITIS 34622
    USDA BRIN4
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Alula | 'Olulu | Pu Aupaka | Cabbage on a Stick
    Associated Scientific Names Brighamia citrina | Brighamia citrina var. napaliensis | Brighamia insignis | Brighamia insignis f. citrina
    Distribution B. insignis was historically known on Ni`ihau and Kauai from the headland between Honolulu and Waiahuakua Valleys along the Na Pali Coast, and from Kaali Spring on the island of Niihau. Currently, B.
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Hawaii S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Closeup of specimen in native habitat. Notice the succulent stem. Photo Credit: K. Wood ©

    Ālula or ʻŌlulu Campanulaceae (Bellflower family) Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Niʻhau, extinct; Kauaʻi, extant with probably only one wild specimen remaining) IUCN: Critically Endangered Oʻahu (Cultivated) Photo Credit: David Eickhoff © 2008

    Brighamia insignis (Olulu, pu aupaka, alula, haha) Habit at Greenhouse Ulupalakua, Maui, Hawaii. November 01, 2012 Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr © 2012

    Photo Credit: San Diego Zoo Global ©

    Photo Credit: San Diego Zoo Global ©

    Photo Credit: San Diego Zoo Global ©

    Aborted fruit can be a sign of inbreeding depression. Despite maintaining collections along maternal lines and ensuring all lines carried on into subsequent generations, some of the plants in ex situ collections in Hawaii were showing signs of inbreeding. Photo Credit: Jeremie Fant

    Plants maintained in ex situ collections, such as this cabbage on a stick in Llmahuli Garden, may be key to not only maintaining the species, but working towards recovery. Photo Credit: Seana Walsh

    Jeremie Fant, Ph.D., is working with many gardens to maintain a stud book - a guide for breeding these rare plants in a manner which maintains genetic diversity. Here he visits National Tropical Botanic Garden, home of the primary ex situ population. Photo Credit: Jeremie Fant

    Gardens have been working to save this species for sometime, propagating plants to maintain diversity as well as for outplantings to ensure this special Hawaiian endemic stays in the landscape. Photo Credit: Seana Walsh
    Videos
    Using a zoo model to conserve genetic diversity of critically endangered species ex situ
    Challenges for ex situ collections: partnerships with the zoo community
    Tools and Resources for Endangered and Exceptional Plant Species (TREES)
    Using Ex Situ Collections to Test Mating Systems - Brighamia insignis
    Newsletters
    Read More
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Butterflies & Moths
    Sphinx moths Hawk moth Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Large, long-tongued moth Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Moths Confirmed Pollinator Link

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