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Argyroxiphium sandwicense
The Silversword is so endangered due to grazing animals (I dont know how tasty this plant could be...) so these silverswords up on Mauna Kea (8800-12300ft) are growing in an enclosure to keep the goats from eating them. They only flower once in their lifetime and the flower spike can reach 9 feet tall!! 'Ahinahina is a reference to their silver color and the Hawaiian goddess of the moon, Hina.
Upper elevations of Mauna Kea. 8,800 to 12,300 ft. Endures very harsh conditions of intense sun and very little rain ( and sometimes snow)
Endangered.
2 Comments
Krakatoa is a great study of succession! We can study succession all the time here on the Big Island because of our active lava flows. :)
I just finished reading Krakatoa so vegetation around Volcano's has been interesting.