Dwarf shrub, with spreading, woody, often branched caudex supporting up to 15 or more epigeal rosettes. Diagnostic features of the species include very narrowly lanceolate-ligulate, silvery floccose-sericeous leaves 3.5-15 cm long, and rather small heads with mostly 30-110 disk florets. The few flowering specimens available were collected from October to February.
This species is of extremely localized distribution on West Maui, occurring chiefly on 'Eke. It is found primarily in bogs at elevations ranging from about 1,350 to 1,650 m. It occurs in sites receiving about 700->1,000 cm of annual precipitation.
Last Modification: April 21, 2006
Each "thumbnail" image below is linked to a larger photograph.
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'Eke silversword population in summit bog, 'Eke, West Maui (photo 1983) |
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'Eke silversword population in summit bog, 'Eke, West Maui (photo 1983) |
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'Eke silversword in flower, summit bog, 'Eke, West Maui (photo 1983) |
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'Eke silversword, flowering heads, the rays are very few in number and are exceedingly small, summit bog, 'Eke, West Maui (photo 1983). |
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'Eke silversword, Pu'u Kukui, W Maui. |
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'Eke silversword, near Violet Lake, Pu'u Kukui, W Maui. |
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'Eke silversword, Pu'u Kukui, W Maui. |