English Name: Native Yellow Hibiscus

Classification:

Hibiscus brackenridgei Gray
Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida-Dicotyledons
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae - Mallow family
Genus: Hibiscus L.- Rosemallow
Species: Hibiscus brackenridgei Gray - Brackenridge's Rosemallow
Subspecies: Hibiscus brackenridgei Gray subsp. brackenridgei – Brackenridge's rosemallow
Subspecies: Hibiscus brackenridgei Gray subsp. mokuleianus (Roe) D. Bates – Mokulei rosemallow
(National Plant Database.2003.)
(Wagner,W.L.,Herbst,D.R.,Sohmer,S.H. 1990. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)

In the garden it is often grows to be a 1 to 3 meter tall shrub. Young plants have smooth tan trunks; the trunks of older plants have a wrinkled appearance. The fuzzy leaves have toothed edges, 3, 5, or 7 lobes, and are up to 6 inches long and equally wide.
The large flowers are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. They are yellow, generally with a maroon center, and form singly or in small clusters at the ends of the branches. The staminal column is yellow. Garnett reports that the flowers open between 2 and 4 p.m. and close between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Spring through early summer is the main blooming season with occasional flowers during the rest of the year. Garnett reports a flowering season of January through March for the subspecies found on O'ahu. The seeds of Hibiscus brackenridgei are contained in 3/8 to 3/4 inch oval capsules. The capsule is covered with soft hairs. It is dry and tan when mature and opens to release the seeds. The seeds are 1/8 inch long, kidney-shaped, and covered with fine hairs.
(Wagner,W.L.,Herbst,D.R.,Sohmer,S.H. 1990. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(Bornhorst.1996; Criley 1998.1999;Garnett.1988;Koob.1999)

(Wagner,W.L.,Herbst,D.R.,Sohmer,S.H. 1990. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)

Distribution:
Molokai-historically known at Laau Point but now thought to be extinct.
Lanai-Near Keomuku Road.
West Maui-Kaunohua Gulch and the West Maui Natural Area Reserve
East Maui- Near Puu o Kali and Keokea, now extincted.
Hawai`i- Lalamilo and Puu Anahulu
(USFWS 1999.2003.)

Maui- 5 populations
Hawai'i- 2 populations
Less than 60 plants total remain.
(USFWS.1999.2001)

4. Fire
5. Invertebrates
6. Rats
7. Development
(USFWS.1999.2001)

Current Management Summary:
1. Fenced exclosure of outplanting at Puuwaawaa/Kaupulehu area.
2. Fenced exclosure of Kaunohua Gulch, Maui population.
3. In April, 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that a designation of critical habitat was prudent for this species.
(USFWS.2002)

Research Management Needs:
1. Construct more exclosures to protect the other wild populations.
2. Control competing alien plant species.
3. Enhance wild populations and establish new populations.
4. Protect from fire.
5. Monitoring of existing plants.
6. Control feral and wild ungulates.
7. Control rats.
8. Control invertebrates.
(USFWS.1999.)

Ex Situ Needs:
1. Genetic studies.
2. Physiological studies.
3. Seed banking.
4. Ex situ plantings in botanical gardens.
5. Increase genetic stock through propagation.
(USFWS.1999)

(Kepler,A.K.1983. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)