A blooming silversword plant in Haleakala National Park, HI
About this photograph
- Creator
- Margery H. Freeman
- Date created
- Unknown
- Location
- Haleakala National Park, HI
- License
- This photograph copyright ©2009. All Rights Reserved
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A blooming Haleakalā silversword plant in Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii. The plant is backlit by strong sunlight and is displayed against a backdrop of rugged mountain ridges. It is surrounded by smaller specimens which have not yet reached maturity. The Haleakalā silversword has been considered a threatened species since 1922, when over-grazing by cattle and goats and damage to the plant’s habitat almost caused its extinction. It is found only in Haleakalā National Park, on and near the Haleakalā volcano. The plant’s leaves are covered in tiny hairs that prevent water loss, and the low, rosette shape of the converging leaves keeps the growing center of the plant warm. The silversword produces a tall stalk of maroon ray flowers when it reaches maturity.
