Argyroxiphium sandwicense, the Hawaiʻi silversword, or hinahina is a species of silversword. It is endemic to Hawaii. The two subspecies are separated by geography. 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.
| Argyroxiphium sandwicense | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Haleakala silversword (A. sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) | |
Conservation status | |
 Endangered (IUCN 3.1) | |
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 DC. | |
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.
References
- Bruegmann, M.M. & Caraway, V. (2003). "Argyroxiphium sandwicense". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 208. IUCN. e.T44157A10865179. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2003.RLTS.T44157A10865179.en.
- NRCS. "Argyroxiphium sandwicense". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 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
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Media related to Argyroxiphium sandwicense at Wikimedia Commons
Argyroxiphium sandwicense the Hawaiʻi silversword or hinahina is a species of silversword It is endemic to Hawaii The two subspecies are separated by geography Both subspecies are rare threatened and federally protected Haleakala silversword A sandwicense subsp macrocephalum is found on the mountain Haleakala 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 Argyroxiphium sandwicenseHaleakala silversword A sandwicense subsp macrocephalum Conservation statusEndangered IUCN 3 1 Scientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsClade AsteridsOrder AsteralesFamily AsteraceaeGenus ArgyroxiphiumSpecies A sandwicenseBinomial nameArgyroxiphium sandwicense DC ReproductionThe silversword flowers only once in its lifespan of 20 to 90 years Natural historyOne 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 ThreatsOne study found that it may not survive climate change ReferencesBruegmann M M amp Caraway V 2003 Argyroxiphium sandwicense The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 208 IUCN e T44157A10865179 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2003 RLTS T44157A10865179 en NRCS Argyroxiphium sandwicense PLANTS Database United States Department of Agriculture USDA 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 linksMedia related to Argyroxiphium sandwicense at Wikimedia Commons
