Family: Asteraceae

Dubautia scabra, or na‘ena‘e, is a spreading, mat-forming shrub endemic to Hawaiʻi. It has narrow, alternate leaves that form attractive circular rosettes. Na‘ena‘e produces clusters of small, white, and faintly fragrant flowers. The fruit of na‘ena‘e are very small, simple, and dry.   

Dubautia scabra is one species in a large radiation of plants endemic to Hawai‘i, known as the Hawaiian silversword alliance. The Hawaiian silversword alliance comprises about 30 species across three genera (Argyroxiphium, Dubautia, and Wilkesia). The entire Dubautia genus is endemic to Hawaii. Both the Hawaiian silversword alliance and the Hawaiian Bidens radiation (which includes  Bidens hawaiensis, or kōʻokoʻolau) belong to the sunflower/daisy family, Asteraceae. More information on adaptive radiation in the Hawaiian silversword alliance is available here.

Habitat & Uses 

There are two subspecies of Dubautia scabra: Dubautia scabra subsp. leiophylla and Dubautia scabra subsp. scabra. D. scabra subsp. leiophylla is found on Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, whereas D. scabra subsp. scabra is only found on Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. Na‘ena‘e is found primarily on fog-swept, barren, often very recent lava flows (D. scabra subsp. scabra) or in rain forest habitats (D. scabra subsp. leiophylla). Na‘ena‘e can be found from about 250 – 8,200 ft in elevation at sites that receive about 26 – 252 inches of rain per year. 

The roots of na‘ena‘e are used to scent kapa. The flowers could be utilized in lei.

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Fragrant
• Lei flower
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers