Argyroxiphium sandwicense
Argyroxiphium sandwicense, the Hawaiʻi silversword, or hinahina[2] is a species of silversword. It is endemic to Hawaii. The two subspecies are separated by geography.[3] Both subspecies are rare, threatened and federally protected.
- Haleakala silversword (A. sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) is found on the mountain Haleakalā on the island of Maui at elevations above 2,100 m (6,900 ft). It is a federally listed threatened species.
- Mauna Kea silversword (A. sandwicense subsp. sandwicense) is found on the mountain Mauna Kea on the Hawaii Island at elevations above 2,600 m (8,500 ft). It is a federally listed endangered species. As few as 40 individuals are left.[4]
| Argyroxiphium sandwicense | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Haleakala silversword (A. sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Argyroxiphium |
| Species: | A. sandwicense |
| Binomial name | |
| Argyroxiphium sandwicense | |
Reproduction
The silversword flowers only once in its lifespan of 20 to 90 years.
Natural history
One of the reasons that the silversword is now an endangered species is the introduction of foreign hoofed mammals (ungulates) by European colonizers. As the population of ungulates (most notably sheep) grew, the population of silversword decreased (Robichaux, 1997).
Threats
One study found that it may not survive climate change.[5]
References
- Bruegmann, M.M. & Caraway, V. (2003). "Argyroxiphium sandwicense". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 208. e.T44157A10865179. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2003.RLTS.T44157A10865179.en.
- USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Argyroxiphium sandwicense". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- "Argyroxiphium sandwicense". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Comprehensive Report Species - Argyroxiphium sandwicense". explorer.natureserve.org.
- "The Hawaiian silversword: another warning on climate change". Mongabay Environmental News. May 6, 2013.
- Robichaux, Robert H.; Friar, Elizabeth A.; Mount, David W. (1997-10-16). "Molecular Genetic Consequences of a Population Bottleneck Associated with Reintroduction of the Mauna Kea Silversword (Arg yroxiphium sandwicense ssp. sandwicense [Asteraceae]). Consecuencias Genetico-Moleculares de un Cuello de Botella Poblacional Asociado con la Reintroduccion de la Espada Plateada de Mauna Kea (Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp. sandwicense [Asteraceae])". Conservation Biology. 11 (5): 1140–1146. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1997.96314.x. ISSN 0888-8892. S2CID 83819334.
External links
Media related to Argyroxiphium sandwicense at Wikimedia Commons
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