`Ahinahina
Haleakala Silversword
Argyroxiphium sandwicense
This is a very unusual and rare plant
found only on Haleakala, Maui and the
mountains of Hawaii (the Big Island)
above elevations of 7000` ASL. The Silversword prefers arid volcanic cinder and seems
well adapted, coping with the tortuous
weather found atop Hawaii's highest mountains.
Silverswords went nearly extinct due to
grazing by goats and cattle, some of the
most destructive animals introduced to Hawaii.