A morphometric analysis and taxonomic appraisal of the Hawaiian Silversword Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC(Asteraceae).

Author:

Meyrat, Alain, Carr, Gerald D., Smith Clifford W.

Title:

A morphometric analysis and taxonomic appraisal of the Hawaiian Silversword Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC(Asteraceae).

Periodical:

Pacific Science

Year:

1983

Volume:

37

Pages:

211-225

Subject:

Silverswords Mauna Kea Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp.sandwicense Silverswords Haleakala Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp.macrocephalum Ahinahina

Summary:

The genus Argyroxiphium includes some of the most interesting species of the flora of the Hawaiian islands with the best known being the silversword of Haleakala, (A. macrocephalum gray or A. sandwicense DC. s.l.), that is found on the island of Maui. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of Argyroxiphium suggest that it is one of the few examples of adaptation to tropical alpine conditions. Another popular species of this genus is from Mauna Kea, (A. sandwicense ssp. sandwicense), on the island of Hawaii. In this study, morphometric techniques were used to assess the pattern of variation of 45 vegetative and reproductive characters among populations of the silverswords. Qualitative features were also evaluated.

Label:

Silverswords

URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/676

Date:

1983

Collection:

Periodicals