Mountain Alsinidendron: A Critically Endangered Hawaiian Treasure
If you’ve stumbled upon information about the mountain alsinidendron (Alsinidendron trinerve), you’ve discovered one of Hawaii’s most precious and precarious native plants. This remarkable shrub tells a story of both botanical wonder and conservation urgency that every native plant enthusiast should know about.
What Makes Mountain Alsinidendron Special?
Mountain alsinidendron is a perennial shrub that’s exclusively native to Hawaii. Like most shrubs, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically stays under 13-16 feet tall, with several stems growing from or near the ground. What makes this plant truly special isn’t just its Hawaiian heritage—it’s how incredibly rare it has become.
This native Hawaiian species was once known by the scientific synonym Schiedea trinervis, but regardless of what you call it, the story remains the same: we’re looking at a botanical survivor that’s hanging on by a thread.
Where Does It Call Home?
Mountain alsinidendron is found exclusively in Hawaii, where it grows naturally in high-elevation areas. As a facultative wetland plant, it usually prefers wetland environments but can occasionally be found in drier locations.
The Conservation Reality Check
Here’s where we need to have a serious conversation. Mountain alsinidendron carries a Global Conservation Status of S1, which translates to Critically Imperiled. This means the species is extremely rare and vulnerable to extinction, with typically five or fewer populations remaining and fewer than 1,000 individual plants in existence. In the United States, it’s officially listed as Endangered.
What does this mean for gardeners and native plant enthusiasts? Simply put: this isn’t a plant you should be trying to grow in your garden, even if you could find it.
Why You Shouldn’t Plant Mountain Alsinidendron
While we typically encourage native plant gardening, mountain alsinidendron is an exception for several important reasons:
- Its critically endangered status means every individual plant is precious to the species’ survival
- Removing plants from wild populations could contribute to extinction
- The specialized growing conditions it requires are difficult to replicate outside its natural habitat
- Conservation efforts should be left to professional botanists and conservation organizations
Better Alternatives for Your Hawaiian Garden
If you’re gardening in Hawaii and want to support native plants, there are many other wonderful Hawaiian natives that are more appropriate for cultivation and won’t put additional pressure on endangered species. Consider researching other native Hawaiian shrubs that are more stable in their populations and available through responsible nurseries.
How You Can Help
Instead of trying to grow mountain alsinidendron, here are meaningful ways to support this endangered species:
- Support Hawaiian native plant conservation organizations
- Learn about and advocate for habitat preservation
- Choose other native Hawaiian plants for your garden
- Spread awareness about the importance of protecting endangered plant species
The Bigger Picture
Mountain alsinidendron represents the fragility of island ecosystems and the importance of conservation. While we can’t invite this particular plant into our gardens, we can honor it by making responsible choices about the native plants we do cultivate and by supporting the conservation efforts working to ensure species like this don’t disappear forever.
Sometimes the best way to love a plant is to appreciate it from afar and work to protect the wild spaces where it belongs. Mountain alsinidendron is definitely one of those plants—a reminder that not every beautiful native species is meant for our gardens, but all are meant to be treasured and protected.
