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)
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[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.^[5]