In the Park, it is found in the forests and woodlands near Kilauea Iki (Stone and Pratt 1994: 203). It can also grow on lava and cinder fields.
| This perennial plant is found in large
clumps, sometimes growing as tall as four feet (Stone and Pratt 1994:
203).
It has short rhizomes (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1414). |
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| Long, stiff leaves that are one-half to one inch wide. |
| Dense clusters are found
on long, shiny black or brown stalks (Stone and Pratt 1994: 203).
The inflorescences are large, compound panicles, 30 to 50 cm wide and 8 to 16 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1414). |
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| The fruits are achenes that are yellowish-brown (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1414). |
| Near Puhimau Hotspot | Mature flowers. | 6/10/01 |
Pigs eat it (Stone and Pratt 1994: 203).