Cyanea pinnatifida

Common Names

Haha, Sharktail Cyanea

Summary

Shark-tail cyanea is an unbranched Campanulaceae shrub endemic to Oʻahu, particularly the Waianae Mountains. It reaches 0.8–3 m in height, has deeply pinnatifid leaves 24–61 cm long, and bears terminal inflorescences of 8–15 greenish-white flowers with purple stripes about 5 cm long; fruits are fleshy berries.

Conservation status is federally Endangered, with extinction in the wild since 2001; it is currently maintained in cultivation through ex situ propagation, including seed banking, tissue culture, and nursery plants, with reintroductions begun since 2007 across Kaluaʻa Gulch, ʻĒkahanui, and Pahole sites and several individuals planted in protected habitat. Natural recruitment has not occurred. Major threats include feral pigs, invasive plants such as Clidemia hirta (Koster's curse) and Passiflora suberosa, as well as rats and slugs. Ongoing management focuses on ungulate fencing, invasive species control, rodent and mollusk management, seed banking, tissue culture, genetic crosses, and expanded reintroduction to establish self-sustaining populations.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2 ft 7 1/2 in – 10 ft

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Rocky, shallow, well-drained soils derived from volcanic basalt on steep, moist forest slopes, neutral to slightly acidic pH

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Bloom Color

Green-tinged white with purple stripes

Bloom Time

All year round

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division (cloning/vegetative propagation), Tissue culture / micropropagation

Attracts Wildlife

Bees and birds