Mehamehame: Hawaii’s Critically Endangered Native Tree Worth Protecting
If you’re passionate about Hawaiian native plants and conservation gardening, you may have heard whispers about mehamehame (Flueggea neowawraea). This extraordinary tree represents one of Hawaii’s most precious and precarious botanical treasures – a species teetering on the edge of extinction that deserves our attention and protection.
What Makes Mehamehame Special?
Mehamehame is a perennial tree that’s as rare as it is remarkable. This woody giant can reach impressive heights of 13-16 feet or more, developing a single trunk under ideal conditions. Though it may occasionally grow in a multi-stemmed form when environmental conditions are challenging, it typically maintains the classic tree structure that makes it a potential standout in any landscape.
You might also encounter this species under its scientific synonyms Drypetes phyllanthoides or Neowawraea phyllanthoides in older botanical references, but Flueggea neowawraea is the currently accepted name.
A True Hawaiian Endemic
This isn’t just any native plant – mehamehame is found exclusively in Hawaii, making it a genuine endemic treasure. Its entire natural range is limited to the Hawaiian Islands, where it has evolved over countless generations to thrive in the unique island ecosystem.
The Conservation Reality: Why This Matters
Here’s where the story takes a serious turn. Mehamehame carries a Global Conservation Status of S1, which translates to Critically Imperiled. This classification means the species is at extreme risk of extinction, with typically five or fewer known occurrences and fewer than 1,000 remaining individuals in the wild. In the United States, it’s officially listed as Endangered.
These aren’t just numbers on a conservation chart – they represent a species hanging by a thread, desperately needing our help to survive.
Should You Plant Mehamehame?
This is where responsible gardening meets conservation ethics. While mehamehame would undoubtedly be a meaningful addition to a native Hawaiian landscape, its critical status demands extreme caution. If you’re considering adding this species to your garden, you should only proceed with plants from verified, responsibly sourced material – never from wild collection.
Before pursuing mehamehame, consider:
- Working with reputable native plant nurseries that specialize in conservation
- Participating in official conservation programs
- Consulting with local botanists or conservation organizations
- Exploring other native Hawaiian trees that aren’t as critically endangered
The Growing Challenge
Unfortunately, detailed cultivation information for mehamehame is scarce – a common challenge with critically endangered species. Much of what we know about this tree comes from studying its wild populations rather than garden cultivation. This lack of horticultural knowledge makes growing mehamehame both a challenge and an opportunity for dedicated conservation gardeners to contribute valuable growing experience.
What we do know is that as a Hawaiian endemic, it likely requires conditions similar to its native habitat, but specific soil, water, and light requirements remain largely undocumented in cultivation guides.
A Call to Conservation Action
Rather than simply growing mehamehame for its landscape value, consider your potential role in its conservation story. Every responsibly grown specimen could contribute to the species’ survival, but this responsibility shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If you’re drawn to rare Hawaiian natives, consider supporting conservation organizations working to protect mehamehame in its natural habitat, or explore other endangered Hawaiian species that might benefit from cultivation efforts.
The Bottom Line
Mehamehame represents both the incredible botanical diversity of Hawaii and the urgent need for plant conservation. While it may not be the easiest choice for most gardeners, it offers something invaluable: the opportunity to participate in preserving a piece of Hawaii’s natural heritage for future generations.
If you choose to grow mehamehame, do so as a conservation steward rather than simply a gardener. The survival of this magnificent tree may depend on responsible gardeners like you.
