Haleakala Silversword, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

Haleakalā silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) grows in volcanic cinder on the slope of the dormant Haleakalā volcano on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The rare Haleakalā silversword, which is considered threatened, grows at elevations above 6,900 feet (2,100 meters). The plant can have 40 or more sword-like succulent leaves covered with silver hairs, which are strong enough to resist wind. The plant is also specially adapted to the extreme high-altitude temperatures. The leaves and hairs are arranged in such a way to focus sunlight, raising the plant's temperature by as much as 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celcius). In Hawaiian, the plant is referred to as ʻāhinahina, which means "very gray."

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Haleakalā silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) grows in volcanic cinder on the slope of the dormant Haleakalā volcano on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The rare Haleakalā silversword, which is considered threatened, grows at elevations above 6,900 feet (2,100 meters). The plant can have 40 or more sword-like succulent leaves covered with silver hairs, which are strong enough to resist wind. The plant is also specially adapted to the extreme high-altitude temperatures. The leaves and hairs are arranged in such a way to focus sunlight, raising the plant's temperature by as much as 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celcius). In Hawaiian, the plant is referred to as ʻāhinahina, which means "very gray."