No task is too much when done together by all.
Organism of the Week! Haleakala Silversword - Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum
This particular subspecies is found only on Haleakala on the island of Maui. The plant was categorized as a threatened plant back in 1992, when it was nearly grazed to extinction by introduced cattle and goats, as well as mishandled by humans. I get the feeling a lot of people just started yanking them up - my source is not exactly clear on how exactly these plants were "vandalized".
In any case, these odd plants are found way high up on Haleakala, the dormant volcano on Maui. Typically it can be seen from the elevation 7000ft-10,000ft on the mountain. Given the volcanic nature, there are only cinders and volcanic rock that high up, so this tough plant has adapted to live off cinders. It stores water on its own, and given how sunny and dry it is that high up, that would pretty much be the only way the plant could survive. It further adapted by developing tiny hairs on its leaves to reflect light directly toward its main growing area - the stem. Very clever :)
While this plant is not integral to Hawaiian culture, it is one of many species native to Hawaii that is currently in danger of extinction. These days cattle and intrigued tourists aren't the issue so much as introduced insects that interrupt the pollination process of these rare plants. And we do like to highlight conservation issues here at Hui Malama `Aina :)
-Sabrina Robello
Sourced: Here and here.
Community Events:
Hawaii Conservation Alliance Free Lecture Series - Wed May 30 5:30pm, ING Direct Cafe (1958 Kalakaua Ave.)
Lectures sound dull off the bat. But this one is free and features different speakers every last Wednesday of the month. This month features Elia Herman, from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, so it'll probably be related to whales. This short lecture is followed by a Q & A period so feel free to speak up!
Please do feel free to leave a comment if there are relevant events going on this week that I've missed. I'm currently going off of conservationist websites and their calendars, so it'll happen. Thanks :)
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