Gardenia brighamii
Genus
Gardenia
Species
brighamii
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Nāʻū
- Nānū
Hawaiian Names
- Nanu
- Nau
Common Names
- Forest gardenia
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
Nāʻū has an 10 to 15+ foot spread with a height to width ratio of 1:5:1.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Hedges
- Provides Shade
- Specimen Plant
- Container
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
The charming porcelain-white flowers are much smaller than the flamboyant introduced gardenias, but no less fragrant.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
- March
- April
- May
- July
- October
- November
- December
Additional Blooming Period Information
In the wild, flowering and fruiting varies among populations. On Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island, nāʻū blooms from October to December. On Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, nāʻū blooms primarily in the spring months of March, April and May, with sporadic blooming in December and July. Cultivated plants seem to flower more or less continuously. [1] Dark green fruits follow the flowers and will reach about the size of a golf ball or smaller. They will usually remain green until ripe, when they begin to turn a yellowish or tan color. Inside the ripe fruits are a number of whitish seeds encased in bright orange-yellow pulp.
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Nāʻū leaves are under an inch to over 4 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are shiny.
Source of Fragrance
Flower
Additional Fragrance Information
The very fragrant gardenia smell has a hint of coconut oil. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola] When several flowers are in bloom at the same time, the air is filled with their wonderful scent!
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Nāʻū is prone to ants, scale, mealybugs, thrips, red spider mites and aphids. Black twig borers may cause minor to major damage.
Fertilizer
Nāʻū respond well to fertilizers, but avoid high nitrogen fertilizers which may cause luxuriant growth but fewer flowers. Use a balanced slow release fertilize with minor elements every six months. Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion, or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength.
Nāʻū appreciate frequent applications of iron chelate and fertilizers for acid loving plants (e.g. Miracid by Miracle-Gro). Apply at half or third strength according to directions on the label for gardenias. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Pruning Information
Prune off dead twigs and branches as needed.
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
When nāʻū is well established, water once a month during dry conditions. Mulch to help maintain moisture in soil and reduce need for watering.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Additional Lighting Information
Nāʻū require full sun for good flower production.
Spacing Information
Plants should be spaced 4 to 6 feet apart for use as a hedge. For specimen plants, space plants 10 to 15 feet apart.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Clay
- Sand
- Cinder
Natural Zones
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
Nāʻū is extremely rare and near to extinction in its native habitat. This species was originally thought to inhabit all eight main islands. This is a dry forest species found on the leeward sides of the islands with very few wild examples remaining, most of them on Lānaʻi. [1] Though there have been conservation outplantings, on Oʻahu there now may be only one naturally remaining tree in the wild in Nānākuli Valley. [Bruce Koebele, Kaʻala Farms]
Special Notes and Information
Nāʻū or nānū (Gardenia brighamii) is one of several members of the Coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Hawaii. The featured species and the two other endemic gardenias, G. mannii of Oʻahu, and G. remyi from Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island (Hilo and Puna districts), are all federally listed as endangered species or candidates for such.
Early Hawaiian Use:
The beautiful flowers were strung into lei by early Hawaiians. Kapa anvils or kua kuku on which kapa was beaten in the second-stage process was made from the wood of nāʻū. [2]
The intense orange-yellow colored pulp of the fruit was also used to dye to kapa a rich yellow by early Hawaiians for the aliʻi. This striking color used for kapa was called nāʻū or nānū, after the plant itself. [1]
Modern Use:
Today, dyes are still made from the fruit of nāʻū turn out to be a beautiful, bright golden yellow which does not fade when dried. [Kaʻiulani de Silva, Kapa Mau]
Landscape Use:
Fortunately, nāʻū is easy to grow and care for in the landscape and not too particular about soil conditions. As a container plant use at least a 15 gallon tub and add generous amounts of lava cinder with potting soil mix at about a 1:1 ratio. Cinders will ensure good drainage and add weight to the tub to avoid tipping over.
Additional References
[1] "Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Gardenia" by Dr. Loyal Mehroff, pages 7-8, 9-10.
[2] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 62, 66, 77.
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