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Plant Profile

Mann's Gardenia (Gardenia mannii)

The shiny leaves of Gardenia mannii can grow up to 11 in (27 cm) long and 4 in (10 cm) wide. Photo Credit: Winifred Singeo

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Rubiaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 147193
Lifeform: Tree
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993

Description:

This member of the coffee family is a tree that grows to a height of up to 50 ft (15 m). Lance- to elliptic-shaped leaves have a sticky, glossy upper surface, and are clustered toward the tips of branches. Solitary flowers form at branch ends and are cream/white colored. These fragrant blossoms open in the late afternoon and last for about two days. (Wagner et al. 1999; USFWS 1996)

Where is Mann's Gardenia (Gardenia mannii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Found on moderate to moderately steep gulch slopes between 980 and 2,460 feet in elevation. Medium to wet forests.

Distribution:

Grows in the Koolau and Waianae Mountain Ranges on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

States & Provinces:

Mann's Gardenia can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Mann's Gardenia (Gardenia mannii)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 07/24/23

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

09/12/2020

Tissue culture research is currently being done at the Lyon Arboretum, Hawaii. (Sugii 2001)

09/12/2020

Some plants are outplanted at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, located near the Koolau Mountains.

09/12/2020

Gardenia mannii are primarily being grown in the plant nursery at Wahiawa Botanical Garden.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to the Waianae Mountains and the Koolau Mountains on the island of Oahu. The species is very rare in the Waianae Mountains, and less rare in the Koolau Mountains. The species appears to number fewer than 1,000 plants. No young trees have been observed in recent years. The species is threatened by feral pigs and invasive alien plants.

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

As cited by the USFWS in 1996 when the species was listed as Federally Endangered, threats include: Habitat degradation and/or destruction by feral pigs Potential damaging impacts from military activities Competition with alien plants such as Koster

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

27 populations total between 70 and 100 individuals, with 23 of the 27 populations each containing 5 or fewer individuals (USFWS 1996)

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Tissue culture research is currently being done at the Lyon Arboretum, Hawaii. (Sugii 2001)

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Gardenia mannii are primarily being grown in the plant nursery at Wahiawa Botanical Garden. Some plants are outplanted at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, located near the Koolau Mountains.

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Symbiotic relationships, if any Water relations research Susceptibility to diseases and pests

Winnie Singeo

01/01/2010

Propagation/long-term plant maintenance information.