Draft recovery plan for the Kau silversword (Argyroxiphium kauense)

Author:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Title:

Draft recovery plan for the Kau silversword (Argyroxiphium kauense)

Year:

1996

Subject:

Silverswords Endangered plants Hawaii Island Rare plants Hawaii Island Plant conservation Hawaii Island Kau silversword Argyroxiphium kauense Mauna Loa

Summary:

This draft recovery plan describes the Kau silversword, Argyroxiphium kauense, as a giant rosette plant endemic to the active volcano of Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. This species was added to the Federal list of endangered species without critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on May 7, 1993. The Kau silversword may have once occurred in subalpine forests, bogs, and mountain parkland between 1,500 and 2,500 meters (5,000 and 8,000 feet) elevation in a band from the southwest rift to the northeast slope of Mauna Loa. The species is currently extant in only two known naturally occurring populations and one artificially created population, and has an estimated total population size of fewer than 600 plants. The decline of the Kau silversword is attributed to browsing by cattle (Bos taurus), goats (Capra hircus), and mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon), and to habitat disruption by feral pigs (Sus scrofa). The largest population is located on private land on Kahuku Ranch, which is controlled by the Trustees of the Damon Estate. A smaller population of the Kau silversword is located in the Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, managed by the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources. A population of only five individuals established by outplanting is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. All populations have been fenced to protect the plants from feral ungulates.

Collection:

Monographs