Pohaku Cyanea: A Lost Treasure of Hawaiian Forests
Meet the pohaku cyanea (Cyanea pohaku), one of Hawaii’s most heartbreaking botanical stories. This remarkable native tree once graced the forests of Hawaii, but today it stands as a sobering reminder of what we can lose when ecosystems are disrupted.
A Tree on the Brink
Here’s the reality that every native plant enthusiast needs to know: pohaku cyanea is possibly extinct in the wild. With a conservation status of SH (Possibly Extirpated), this species is known only from historical records, though scientists hold onto hope that it might still be rediscovered somewhere in Hawaii’s remote forests.
Important: Due to its critically endangered status, pohaku cyanea is not available for home cultivation and should not be planted even if seeds or plants were somehow obtained.
What Made This Tree Special
Pohaku cyanea was no ordinary plant. As a member of the bellflower family, this perennial tree could grow impressively tall – typically reaching heights greater than 13-16 feet with a single, sturdy trunk. Like other members of the Cyanea genus, it likely produced distinctive tubular flowers that were perfectly adapted to attract Hawaii’s native bird pollinators.
Where It Once Called Home
This endemic Hawaiian species was found nowhere else on Earth except in the Hawaiian Islands. Historical records place it in Hawaii’s native forest ecosystems, where it played an important role in the island’s unique ecological web.
Why We Can’t Grow It (And Shouldn’t Try)
Even if you’re passionate about native Hawaiian plants, pohaku cyanea isn’t an option for your garden for several critical reasons:
- It’s possibly extinct – there are no known sources of seeds or plants
- Any remaining genetic material would be invaluable for conservation efforts, not home gardening
- Growing rare Hawaiian endemics requires specialized knowledge and permits
- Home cultivation could inadvertently harm conservation efforts
Honoring Its Legacy
While we can’t invite pohaku cyanea into our gardens, we can honor its memory and support Hawaiian conservation in other ways. Consider planting other native Hawaiian species that are still available and help support the ecosystems that once sheltered this remarkable tree.
What This Means for Native Plant Gardeners
The story of pohaku cyanea serves as a powerful reminder of why native plant gardening matters. Every native species we choose to grow in our landscapes helps support local ecosystems and prevents other plants from following the same path toward extinction.
If you’re inspired to support Hawaiian native plants, focus on species that are still available through reputable native plant nurseries and conservation organizations. These plants can help you create beautiful gardens while supporting Hawaii’s remaining native wildlife and ecosystems.
A Call to Conservation
Though pohaku cyanea may be lost to us, its story doesn’t have to end in sadness. By supporting native plant conservation, choosing native species for our gardens, and protecting existing wild spaces, we can help ensure that other remarkable plants don’t share the same fate.
Sometimes the most important thing a gardener can do is simply remember – and help others remember – what once was, so we can better protect what still remains.
