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Hawaii State flower
Information about the state flower of Hawaii.
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr
The state flower of Hawaii is the yellow Hibiscus Brackenridgei.
it is a bright yellow flower with a maroon spot in the center.
Common Names
-Ma'o hau hele
Family: Malvaceae
Rewrite this:
Hibiscus brackenridgei, the state flower of Hawaii, is an
endangered plant endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Threats such as development, overgrazing by livestock
and feral animals, and competition from invasive weeds
have significantly reduced the number of plants surviving
in the wild. Currently, there are less than 60 plants in
8 populations remaining on the islands of Lana'i, Maui,
and Hawaii. Measures conservationists are taking to
protect remaining populations of Hibiscus brackenridgei
include weed control, fencing to exclude animals,
conservation of plants and seeds in botanical gardens
and seed banks, and preservation of remaining intact habitat.
Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Gray – ma‘o hau hele is a tall shrub
with bright yellow flowers, closely related to the widespread
H. divaricatus. Two subspecies are recognized: H. b. brackenridgei,
a sprawling shrub to an erect tree found on Moloka‘i, Lana‘i,
Maui, and Hawaii; and H. b. mokuleianus, a tree from dry
habitats on Kaua‘i and Wai‘anae mountain on O‘ahu. This
species is listed as an endangered species by the USFWS.
The yellow flower of this species is the official state
flower of Hawaii, and although endangered in its natural
habitats, has become a moderately popular ornamental in
Hawaiian yards.
Hibiscus brackenridgei ssp. mokuleianus
Hibiscus brackenridgei is Hawaii's State flower and a member of the mallow family (Malvaceae). It is a sprawling shrub to small tree with beautiful yellow flowers with a maroon spot in the center. Hibiscus brackenridgei ssp. mokuleianusis currently known only from 5 populations with a total of 100-300 plants. They are found on the island of O`ahu scattered in the Waianae Mountains in lowland dry to mesic forest and shrubland. It was once thought to have occurred on Kaua`i from Lihue and Olokele Canyon.
Threats such as habitat degradation and possible predation by pigs, goats, deer and cattle; competition with alien plant species; road construction; fire and random naturally occurring events have significantly reduced the number of populations and plant numbers and some cases extinction in some areas.
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Pua Aloalo: Hawaii's Honored Hibiscus
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National Tropical Botanical Garden Photo
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Hibiscus brackenridgei (Malvaceae)
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
See also:
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More State Symbols of Hawaii,/a>
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Flowers of Hawaii
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Related Links
Plants and Animals of Hawaii
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
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