Mauna Kea Dubautia: A Rare Hawaiian Treasure Worth Protecting
If you’re passionate about native Hawaiian plants and conservation, the Mauna Kea dubautia (Dubautia arborea) might just capture your heart—though growing this botanical gem comes with some serious responsibilities and challenges. This extraordinary shrub represents one of Hawaii’s most precious and endangered native plants, making it both a privilege and a duty to cultivate.
What Makes This Plant Special
The Mauna Kea dubautia is a perennial shrub that typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually reaching less than 13-16 feet in height. Its silvery-green, narrow leaves create a striking backdrop for clusters of small, cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers that attract native Hawaiian pollinators and other beneficial insects.
This plant belongs to the sunflower family and was formerly known by the synonym Railliardia arborea, though botanists now recognize it as Dubautia arborea.
A True Hawaiian Native with a Precarious Future
Dubautia arborea is endemic to Hawaii, found exclusively on the Big Island’s Mauna Kea in high-elevation subalpine zones. This incredibly specific geographic distribution makes it one of nature’s most specialized residents.
Important Conservation Alert: This plant carries a Global Conservation Status of S1, meaning it’s critically imperiled with typically five or fewer occurrences and fewer than 1,000 remaining individuals in the wild. If you’re considering growing this plant, you must source it responsibly through reputable conservation organizations or botanical institutions—never from wild collection.
Why Grow Mauna Kea Dubautia?
Despite the challenges, there are compelling reasons to consider this rare beauty:
- Support conservation efforts for endangered Hawaiian flora
- Create authentic native Hawaiian landscapes
- Provide habitat for native pollinators
- Add unique texture and form to specialized collections
- Contribute to preserving Hawaii’s botanical heritage
The Reality Check: Growing Challenges
Let’s be honest—growing Mauna Kea dubautia is not for casual gardeners. This plant evolved in very specific conditions on Mauna Kea’s slopes, requiring:
- Well-draining volcanic soil that mimics its native habitat
- Cool temperatures typical of high-elevation environments
- Specific microclimatic conditions that are difficult to replicate
- USDA hardiness zones 10-11 with specialized care
Best Garden Settings
This rare shrub works best in:
- Specialized native Hawaiian plant collections
- Botanical gardens with conservation missions
- Educational landscapes focused on Hawaiian flora
- Cool, high-elevation gardens that can mimic natural conditions
Planting and Care Tips
If you’re committed to growing this conservation treasure, here’s what you need to know:
- Source plants only from reputable conservation programs or botanical institutions
- Provide excellent drainage with volcanic or pumice-based soil mixes
- Maintain cooler temperatures and good air circulation
- Water carefully—this plant doesn’t tolerate waterlogged conditions
- Consider container growing if you can’t replicate natural conditions
- Connect with native Hawaiian plant societies for expert guidance
The Bottom Line
Growing Mauna Kea dubautia is more than gardening—it’s participating in conservation. While this plant presents significant challenges and requires responsible sourcing, successfully cultivating it means you’re helping preserve one of Hawaii’s rarest botanical treasures. If you’re up for the challenge and committed to conservation, this remarkable shrub offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in plant preservation while adding an extraordinary native Hawaiian element to your landscape.
Remember: with great botanical beauty comes great responsibility. Only proceed if you’re prepared for the specialized care this critically imperiled species deserves.
