SILVERSWORD IN BLOOM…this rare plant in Haleakala National Park, on Maui Island, sports a blossom ten feet high.
“The SILVERSWORD—a member of the composit family, grows from 4 to 20 years—finally sending up a flower stalk 1 to 9 feet tall—then dies. Hawaiian name is “Ahina Ahina” which means Silver Hair. The Silversword is found only in Hawaii.”
“At the left of picture is the male blossom, a sprig of which carrying pollen is bound within the female blossom, the cluster of buds in center of picture, and tied with string by the grower. This is done after removal of the brown husk (Spathe) seen at right of picture. About seven months after pollenation, dates are ready for picking. The male and female blossoms are produced by different palms.”
