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kau silversword
Scientific Name: Argyroxiphium kauense
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Argyroxiphium kauense: The Mauna Loa Silversword
Discover the unique Argyroxiphium kauense, commonly known as the Mauna Loa silversword or Ka?? silversword, a rare and fascinating plant species.
Considerations for Pets
- The Kau silversword has pointed silver-gray leaves that may be a concern if ingested.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Argyroxiphium kauense
- Common Names: Mauna Loa silversword, Ka?? silversword
- Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
- Synonyms: Argyroxiphium kauense (Rock & Neal) O. Deg. & I. Deg., Argyroxiphium sandwicense var. kauense
Distribution and Habitat
- Endemic to the island of Hawai?i (Big Island).
- Specifically found on the active volcano of Mauna Loa.
- Also found in the Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve.
- Grows at approximately 6,000 feet.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Giant rosette plant.
- Basally woody perennial plant.
- Monocarpic: bears fruit and flowers only once and then dies.
- The rosettes can become elevated on short trunks before flowering.
- Consists mostly of balls of pointed silver-gray leaves.
Ecological Role
- Critically endangered species.
- Threatened by mouflon sheep grazing.
Further Information
- ARKive (no longer online, but mentioned as a resource for photos and facts).
- Dave's Garden (a community website for sharing gardening tips).
- Plants of Hawaii (images and information by Forest and Kim Starr).
- Discover Life (page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution).
- Notes from Waimea Arboretum, Vol. 8, Page 6 (Mitchell, Frank. 1981).