Erect, single-stemmed monocarpic rosette shrub, or, if branched, polycarpic and erect or decumbent; flowering plants commonly up to 2 m high. Diagnostic features of the species include green, 5-11-nerved, narrowly elliptic-ligulate leaves which are broadest above the middle, and pappus of disk florets mostly 1-2 mm long. Flowering occurs from June to January, apparently peaking in August.
This species occurs on E Maui and W Maui, mostly in and on the perimeter of bogs at elevations ranging from about 1,200 to 2,050 m. It occurs in sites receiving about 150->1,000 cm precipitation per year. Although occasionally locally abundant, populations are usually very restricted in area and of limited distribution.
Last Modification: April 21, 2006
Each "thumbnail" image below is linked to a larger photograph.
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Lower portion of flowering stalk of plant cultivated at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park The lack of a silvery coating of hairs distinguishes greenswords from their close relatives, the silverswords. (photo 1977). |
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Greensword habitat on E Maui, two vegetative greenswords visible in foreground of Oreobolus bog (photo 1977). |
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Greenswords around edge of bog, E Maui (photo 1977 - R. L. Stemmermann and A. Meyrat in background) |
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Greenswords at Kuiki, E Maui (photo 1983?) |
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Greenswords in flower, "new" bog, E Maui (photo 1983). |
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Greensword admired by Art Medeiros, E Maui. |
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"Greensword Meadow," E Maui (photo 1977). |
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Flowering head from greensword in cultivation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (photo 1977). |
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Flowering head with presumed native tephritid fly whose larvae parasitize the fruits of the greensword. |
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"Jack-in-the-beanstalk" Kyhos harvesting a few fruits from the world's tallest greensword, a plant cultivated at Haleakala National Park (photo 1985). |