Astelia argyrocoma

Astelia argyrocoma is a species of astelia endemic to the highlands of Kauaʻi in the state of Hawaii, United States. This plant is found only in native Hawaiian tropical rainforests at higher elevations in forests dominated by ʻōhiʻa lehua trees.

Astelia argyrocoma
Growing in montane cloud forest near the Alakaʻi plateau, Hawaii
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asteliaceae
Genus:	Astelia
Species:	A. argyrocoma
Binomial name
Astelia argyrocoma A.Heller ex Skottsb.[1]
Native range

Description

Astelia arygyrocoma is a grass-like shrub with silvery-green leaves 40–100 cm (16–39 in) long and 0.4–1.1 cm (0.16–0.43 in) wide. The undersides of the leaves are silver. Flowers are green and reddish-brown, developing into bright orange berries.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Astelia argyrocoma can only be found in high elevation tropical montane cloud forests^[3] on Kauaʻi, between around 500 and 1,400 m (1,600 and 4,600 ft) elevation, particularly on the Alakaʻi plateau. It is absent from the very highest elevations of the island.^[1]