Mann's Gardenia / Center For Plant Conservation
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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)?

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

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

  • 09/12/2020
  • Living Collection

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

  • 09/12/2020
  • Living Collection

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.

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Nomenclature
Taxon Gardenia mannii
Authority St. John & Kuykendall
Family Rubiaceae
CPC Number 7618
ITIS 35161
USDA GAMA6
Duration Perennial
Common Names Mann's gardenia | nanu | Oahu gardenia
Associated Scientific Names Gardenia mannii | Gardenia mannii var. honoluluensis
Distribution Grows in the Koolau and Waianae Mountain Ranges on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
State Rank
State State Rank
Hawaii S1
Ecological Relationships

Photos

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