'āHinahina
ExplorePlants
'āHinahina
argyroxiphium sandwicense
The 'āHinahina, also known as the Mauna Kea or Haleakalā silversword, is an extraordinary, iconic plant endemic to the high-altitude volcanic slopes of Hawaii. This stunning member of the sunflower family grows as a dense, globe-like rosette of glittering silver leaves for decades. At the end of its life, it undergoes a spectacular transformation, sending up a massive flowering stalk up to two meters tall draped in hundreds of maroon-colored blossoms. This dramatic event occurs only once, after which the plant disperses its seeds and dies, completing its monocarpic life cycle.
Habitat: Found in alpine cinder deserts and dry subalpine shrublands on high-elevation Hawaiian volcanoes.
Appearance
This species forms a striking, spherical rosette of rigid, sword-shaped leaves that are densely covered in woolly, silver-white hairs. The silvery sheen is highly reflective, giving the plant a metallic, almost glowing appearance against dark volcanic rock. When mature, it produces a single, towering central stalk adorned with 100 to 500 flower heads, each featuring purplish-red ray florets surrounding a yellow center.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusArgyroxiphium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its Hawaiian name, 'āHinahina, refers to its beautiful silver-gray color.
The plant's reflective leaves are so efficient that they can focus sunlight inward toward the plant's core to keep it warm in freezing alpine temperatures.
Though it can live for nearly a century, the plant flowers exactly once and dies immediately after setting its seeds.
Special abilities
Ability
Silver Sunscreen
The dense layer of silver hairs on its leaves reflects intense high-altitude ultraviolet radiation and reduces moisture loss.
Ability
Volcanic Anchor
A robust, shallow lateral root system combined with a strong taproot stabilizes the plant in loose, shifting volcanic cinder.
Ability
Monocarpic Bloom
It concentrates decades of stored energy into a single, massive reproductive event to maximize pollination success before dying.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-200 cm
- Weight
- 2-15 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-90 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water absorbed from the volcanic soil.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Ecological connections
mutualism
Hawaiian Yellow-Faced Bee
Hylaeus volcanicus
Pollinated by native Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, which assist in fertilizing the massive flower heads.
eaten by
Haleakalā Silversword Fly
Tephritis cratericola
The larvae of this endemic fly feed on the seeds and flower heads of the silversword, reducing its reproductive yield.
eaten by
Sheep
Ovis aries
Introduced domestic sheep heavily browsed and decimated native populations of silverswords before exclusion fences were built.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify 'āHinahina?
The easiest way to identify 'āHinahina is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is 'āHinahina?
30-200 cm
How much does 'āHinahina weigh?
2-15 kg
How long does 'āHinahina live?
20-90 years
What does 'āHinahina eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water absorbed from the volcanic soil.
Where is 'āHinahina usually found?
Found in alpine cinder deserts and dry subalpine shrublands on high-elevation Hawaiian volcanoes.
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Where to spot
Park14 sightings12 species
Hawaii, US
Crater Historic District
You might spot 'āhinahina, Kūpaoa, and Chukar.
View guide →
Park20 sightings12 species
Hawaii, US
Enchanted Floral Gardens of Kula
You might spot 'āhinahina, Jackson's Chameleon, and Sea Turtle.
View guide →
Park13 sightings12 species
Hawaii, US
Kula Botanical Garden
You might spot 'āhinahina, Jackson's Chameleon, and Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi.
View guide →
Park11 sightings12 species
Hawaii, US
Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve
You might spot Māmane, Great Mullein, and Wand Mullein.
View guide →
Take the discovery with you
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