The Haleakala Silversword has been an endangered species since 1922 after a decline due to feral goats and human vandilism. The Silversword is found on the summit of Haleakala crater on Maui. The Silversword grows on the volcanic cinder. Variations of the species are also found on the slopes of Mauna kea and Mauna loa. Because the summit of Haleakala rises at such a high elevation, the climate is arid with harsh winds and occasional frost. . Because of the harsh climate, the Silversword has silvery hairs that reflect the light and heat and provide insulation against the intense ardity. The leaves contain air spaces filled with a gelatinous substance that absorbs and stores water during invervals between rain. The Silversword blooms after several decades and can live up to fifty years. Because the plant is self incompatable and for seeds to develop, the maroon sunflower like flowers must receive pollen from another Silversword plant. Cross-pollination is vital for genetic diversity, or depressed germination will result. Endemic native bees and moths are the only insects that can cross pollinate the flowers due to co-evolution (evolution of species dependent on each other). Native pollinators are dwindling because of introduced species. The greatest threat to the Silversword is the invasion of the endemic pollinators' habitat by the Argentine ant. The Argentine ant is a predatory ant the threatens the survival of endemic pollinators vital to future generations and survivial of the Silversword. The Silversword blooms once in a lifetime between June and October. After the flowers are pollinated and seeds are developed, the Silversword dies. The seeds are dispersed to new locations via wind.Resources
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Pollinators
