They were eager to grow lots of them and save the plant from extinction. The ones at NTBG knew how rare alula already were when Perlman handed over his seeds 40 years ago. Horticulturists are experts in cultivating plants. Perlman is based at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens (NTBG) in Kalaheo, so he gave his seeds to horticulturists working there. He is a field botanist with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Steve Perlman rappelled down a cliff to collect their seeds. ![]() ![]() There was still a small population clinging to a cliff face. These plants tended to crowd out native Hawaiian ones, including alula.įorty years ago, the alula hadn’t yet dwindled to one last, lonely plant. People also brought plants from other places. That was before people brought plant-munching goats, pigs and rats to Hawaii. Alula were once a common sight in Kauai and on the neighboring island of Nihau. Winter is an ecologist and a Hawaiian who works at the He’eia National Estuarine Research Reserve on Oahu.Īs Winter well knows, the days when Hawaiians could use alula flowers in their leis are long gone. ![]() The alula’s flowers “could be either strung or woven into leis, which were made as gifts of love or for special occasions,” says Kawika Winter. Creamy yellow flowers give off a honeysuckle scent.Īlula used to be an important lei plant. A lei is a traditional garland of flowers worn around the neck. Its rosette of wide, leathery leaves sits atop a short, bulbous stem. Even on this island chain, known for its exotic greenery, the alula stands out.
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