Lava Bur Cucumber: A Rare Hawaiian Treasure Not for Your Garden
Meet the lava bur cucumber (Sicyos anunu), a fascinating annual herb that’s as elusive as it is intriguing. Known locally as `anunu, this little-known Hawaiian native has a story that’s both captivating and cautionary for gardeners interested in native plants.
What Makes This Plant Special
The lava bur cucumber belongs to a unique group of Hawaiian endemic plants that have evolved in isolation over millions of years. As an annual forb herb, it completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season, making it quite different from the perennial natives many gardeners are familiar with. Unlike woody shrubs or trees, this delicate plant lacks significant woody tissue and keeps its growing points at or near ground level.
Where You’ll Find It (Spoiler: Probably Nowhere)
This rare gem is found exclusively in Hawaii, making it a true island endemic. However, don’t pack your bags for a plant-hunting expedition just yet – there’s more to this story.
The Conservation Reality Check
Here’s where things get serious, fellow plant lovers. The lava bur cucumber has a Global Conservation Status of S2, which translates to Imperiled. This means there are likely only 6 to 20 known populations left in existence, with somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining in the wild. To put this in perspective, this plant is rarer than many animals on the endangered species list.
What does this mean for gardeners? Simply put: this isn’t a plant for cultivation. Any specimens you might encounter should be left strictly alone, and purchasing or collecting this species would be both ecologically harmful and likely illegal.
Why You Shouldn’t Grow It (Even If You Could)
While the idea of growing a rare Hawaiian endemic might sound appealing, here are the compelling reasons to admire this plant from afar:
- Its extreme rarity means every wild plant is crucial for species survival
- Removing plants from wild populations could contribute to extinction
- There’s virtually no cultivation information available, making successful growing nearly impossible
- Seeds or plants are not available through legitimate nursery channels
- Conservation efforts should be left to professional botanists and institutions
Better Alternatives for Native Hawaiian Gardening
If you’re drawn to Hawaiian native plants (and who wouldn’t be?), there are many wonderful alternatives that are better suited for cultivation and won’t harm wild populations. Consider exploring more common Hawaiian natives that are available through reputable native plant nurseries and are better documented for garden use.
Supporting Conservation Instead
Rather than trying to grow this rare treasure, consider supporting Hawaiian plant conservation organizations that work to protect species like the lava bur cucumber. These groups conduct vital research, habitat restoration, and seed banking that gives imperiled plants their best chance of survival.
The lava bur cucumber serves as a reminder that not every native plant belongs in our gardens – sometimes the best way to appreciate a species is to ensure it thrives in its natural habitat for generations to come.
