![]() ![]() ![]() Botanists painstakingly cross-pollinate wild plants, collect their seeds, and carefully germinate them in secure greenhouse. To ensure the long-term survival of 'āhinahina, a public/private partnership now collaborates to bolster silverswords' genetic diversity. However, toiling on hard rock at high altitudes, national park crews have erected miles of fence to keep out stomping and chomping beasts. By the early 1990s, the entire species was limited to a handful of plants clinging to survival at three remote sites on Mauna Loa. Within weeks it goes to seed and its life is concluded-the entire plant dies.įoraging ungulates, like cattle, sheep, and goats, love to eat silverswords and where accessible, they have devoured any they’ve found. ![]() It is only once in their lives and only after 10 to 30 years that 'āhinahina send up a spectacular stalk of fragrant flowers as tall as 9 feet (3 meters). Mauna Loa silverswords generally grow fewer "petals" in their flowerheads and their thinner leaves are less hairy. Although they share the same ancestor, Mauna Loa silverswords are distinct from the other species found on Mauna Kea and Haleakalā. 'Āhinahina are named for the remarkable shine of soft, silver hairs that cover and protect their sword-like leaves. One of the world's most extraordinary plants survives only on the flanks of Mauna Loa between 5,000 to 8,000 feet (1,500 to 2,500 m). ‘Āhinahina (Mauna Loa silverswords) (NPS Photo) ʻĀhinahina (Mauna Loa Silverswords) ![]()
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