Silversword Leaves
The Haleakala silversword is found on the island of Maui at elevations above 6,900 ft (2,100 metres) on the dormant Haleakalā volcano. This succulent has numerous sword-like leaves covered with silver hairs. The skin and hairs are strong enough to resist the wind and freezing temperature of this altitude and protect the plant from dehydration and the sun. The plant's base of leaves, arranged in a spherical formation at ground level of the plant, dominates for the majority of the plant's life—which may be greater than 50 years. The leaves are arranged so that they and the hairs of the leaves can raise the temperature of the shoot-tip leaves up to 68 F (20C), having adapted to the extreme high-altitude temperatures by focusing the sunlight to converge at this point and warm the plant.
The next image in my photo stream shows a dying plant
Thanks for stopping by!
© Melissa Post 2023
Silversword Leaves
The Haleakala silversword is found on the island of Maui at elevations above 6,900 ft (2,100 metres) on the dormant Haleakalā volcano. This succulent has numerous sword-like leaves covered with silver hairs. The skin and hairs are strong enough to resist the wind and freezing temperature of this altitude and protect the plant from dehydration and the sun. The plant's base of leaves, arranged in a spherical formation at ground level of the plant, dominates for the majority of the plant's life—which may be greater than 50 years. The leaves are arranged so that they and the hairs of the leaves can raise the temperature of the shoot-tip leaves up to 68 F (20C), having adapted to the extreme high-altitude temperatures by focusing the sunlight to converge at this point and warm the plant.
The next image in my photo stream shows a dying plant
Thanks for stopping by!
© Melissa Post 2023