When the brighamia pollinators became extinct, efforts were taken by scientists to hand pollinate the remaining plants which were growing high on cliffs above the ocean where hungry feral goats could not reach them. Both natives grow on rocky outcroppings including high exposed sea cliffs like those on the Na Pali coast of Kaua’i. Its close relative Brighamia rockii, known as pua’ala is native to Molokai and has a similar appearance but with smaller leaves and a white flower. All of these descriptions aptly describe this plant’s unique appearance. In Latin insignis means outstanding, remarkable or distinguished. The genus name honors William Tufts Brigham who was the first director of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.Īlula is known botanically as Brighamia insignis. Two family members are in the Brighamia genus and both are native to Hawaii.
ALULA PLANT FULL
When in full bloom, the blossoms encircle the top of the plant appearing like a crown.Īlula is in the Bellflower (Capanulaceae) family which has over 2,000 species most of which are in the Lobelia genus. The fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers are a little over an inch across. Yellow flowers emerge from between the leaves on 2-inch tubes often in late summer or early fall. The spoon shaped, leathery, light green leaves grow in a rosette pattern at the top of the stalk. The crown is seldom more than two or three feet across.
Though usually between 2 and 6 feet tall, older specimens can reach ten feet. It grows as a fat, succulent stalk that is thicker at the base and sometimes branched. Alula’s somewhat prehistoric appearance adds to its appeal.
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