Ko’oko’olau: Hawaii’s Lost Treasure Plant
Meet ko’oko’olau (Lipochaeta perdita), one of Hawaii’s most mysterious native plants. If you’re hoping to add this unique species to your garden, we need to have an important conversation first. This isn’t your typical gardening story—it’s more like a botanical mystery with a conservation twist.
What Makes Ko’oko’olau Special?
Ko’oko’olau is a perennial herb that belongs to Hawaii’s incredible native flora. As a forb, it’s a non-woody plant that would have grown close to the ground, lacking the thick, woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. Think of it as Hawaii’s version of a wildflower, but with a much more exclusive membership card.
This plant also goes by the scientific synonym Lipochaeta kawaihoaensis, named after the Hawaiian location where it was discovered.
Where Did Ko’oko’olau Call Home?
Ko’oko’olau is endemic to Hawaii, meaning it naturally occurred nowhere else on Earth. The plant was found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands, making it a true island original.
The Conservation Reality Check
Here’s where our story takes a serious turn. Ko’oko’olau has a Global Conservation Status of SH—which stands for Possibly Extirpated. In plain English, this means the plant is known only from historical records, and there’s just a glimmer of hope that someone, somewhere, might rediscover it in the wild.
What this means for gardeners: You cannot and should not attempt to grow ko’oko’olau unless you’re working with legitimate conservation organizations using verified, responsibly sourced plant material. Even then, such efforts would be part of species recovery programs, not typical home gardening.
Why We Can’t Recommend Growing Ko’oko’olau
Unlike most plants we feature, ko’oko’olau presents unique challenges:
- The plant may already be extinct in the wild
- No reliable sources exist for seeds or plants
- Growing conditions and care requirements are largely unknown
- Any remaining genetic material should be reserved for conservation efforts
Supporting Hawaiian Native Plants Instead
While you can’t grow ko’oko’olau in your garden, you can still support Hawaiian native plant conservation by:
- Growing other native Hawaiian plants that are still available
- Supporting local native plant societies and botanical gardens
- Learning about and sharing the stories of Hawaii’s rare plants
- Choosing native alternatives for your landscape design
The Bigger Picture
Ko’oko’olau’s story reminds us why native plant conservation matters. Every plant species represents thousands of years of evolution and adaptation to specific environments. When we lose a species like ko’oko’olau, we lose a unique piece of Hawaii’s natural heritage forever.
While we can’t bring ko’oko’olau into our gardens, we can honor its memory by protecting the native plants that still grace Hawaii’s landscapes. Sometimes the best way to garden is to support the plants that are still with us, ensuring they don’t follow ko’oko’olau’s mysterious path into possible extinction.
If you’re passionate about Hawaiian native plants, consider connecting with local conservation groups. Who knows? Maybe one day, someone will rediscover ko’oko’olau growing wild in a remote corner of the islands. Until then, let’s celebrate and protect the native treasures we still have.
