Cyanea superba

Common Names

Mt. Kaala Cyanea, Superb Cyanea, Haha

Summary

Mt. Kaʻala cyanea is a rare bellflower endemic to Oʻahu, Hawaii, growing as a single-stemmed palm-like tree 4–6 m tall with a terminal rosette of oblanceolate leaves 0.5–1 m long; it bears pendent racemes of curved white to cream flowers 5.5–8.8 cm long and oval berries that are yellow to orange, about 25 mm long and 21 mm wide, containing roughly 130 seeds. Two subspecies are recognized: ssp. regina (extinct) and ssp. superba (rediscovered).

Extinct in the wild, it is known only from cultivation and is federally listed as endangered; ex situ conservation includes seed banking, with storage between 50,000 and 123,000 seeds, and greenhouse propagation with planned outplanting in protected habitat. Ongoing recovery efforts address habitat degradation and threats from invasive species, feral pigs, rats, and fires; conservation actions emphasize secure propagation and reintroduction rather than ornamental use.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

13-20 ft

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, rocky volcanic soil rich in organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Bloom Color

White to cream, sometimes with purple veins

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Rich green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Seasons of Interest

Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings (including stem cuttings)

Attracts Wildlife

Bees attracted, other pollinating insects attracted, birds attracted (historical pollinators include Hawaiian honeycreepers; introduced Japanese white-eye visits for nectar with limited pollination).