Anaunau: Hawaii’s Rare Native Shrub Worth Protecting
Meet the anaunau (Lepidium serra), a little-known Hawaiian treasure that’s as rare as it is important. This perennial shrub represents one of Hawaii’s unique endemic species, quietly playing its part in the islands’ delicate ecosystem while facing an uncertain future.
A True Hawaiian Native
Anaunau is exclusively native to Hawaii, meaning you won’t find this plant growing wild anywhere else on Earth. It’s part of Hawaii’s incredible botanical heritage – a living piece of the islands’ natural history that evolved in isolation over millions of years.
This endemic species grows only in the Hawaiian Islands, making it a true local specialty.
What Makes Anaunau Special
As a perennial shrub, anaunau is a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically stays under 13-16 feet tall. Like most shrubs, it develops several stems from near the ground, creating a bushy growth pattern that’s characteristic of this plant family.
What really makes anaunau special, though, isn’t just its growth habit – it’s its rarity. This plant carries a Global Conservation Status of S3, which translates to Vulnerable. That’s conservation-speak for a species that’s walking a tightrope between survival and extinction.
The Reality of Rarity
Here’s where things get serious. Anaunau is considered vulnerable because it’s:
- Very rare and local throughout its range
- Found only in restricted areas
- Estimated to have between 21-100 occurrences total
- Population likely between 3,000-10,000 individuals worldwide
When you put it in perspective, there might be more people in your neighborhood than there are anaunau plants in the entire world.
Should You Grow Anaunau in Your Garden?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While anaunau is undoubtedly valuable as a native Hawaiian species, its vulnerable status means we need to approach cultivation very carefully.
If you’re passionate about growing this rare native, here’s what you need to know:
- Source responsibly: Only obtain plants from reputable native plant societies or conservation organizations
- Never collect from the wild: Wild collection could push this species closer to extinction
- Consider alternatives: Other native Hawaiian plants might better serve your garden goals while being less conservation-sensitive
The Conservation Challenge
Unfortunately, detailed growing information for anaunau is limited – and that’s actually part of the problem. Many of Hawaii’s rare native plants haven’t been extensively studied for cultivation because conservation efforts have focused on protecting wild populations rather than developing horticultural practices.
What we do know is that as a Hawaiian endemic, anaunau evolved under specific island conditions and likely has particular requirements that might not translate easily to typical garden settings.
Supporting Hawaiian Native Plants
If anaunau has caught your interest, consider channeling that enthusiasm toward supporting Hawaiian plant conservation more broadly. You can:
- Support local botanical gardens and conservation organizations
- Choose other native Hawaiian plants that are less vulnerable for your garden
- Learn about Hawaii’s unique flora and share that knowledge with others
- Volunteer with habitat restoration projects
The Bigger Picture
Anaunau represents something bigger than just one rare shrub – it’s a reminder of Hawaii’s incredible biodiversity and the responsibility we have to protect it. While this plant might not be the best choice for your average garden, knowing about it and respecting its precarious situation is part of being a thoughtful gardener.
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for a plant is to admire it from afar and work to ensure it has a secure future in its natural habitat. For anaunau, that might just be the case.
