Hawaii silversword Asteraceae Argyroxiphium
sandwicense DC.
symbol: ARSA5
Leaf: Fleshy and sword-like to 10 inches; entire surface covered in silver pubescence.
Flower: Purple-brown, with several hundred flower heads borne on a 6 foot stalk; appearing June to November.
Fruit: Each flower head develops into a single slender black achene to 3/8 inch long.
Bark: Obscured by dead leaves.
Form: A rounded/conical rosette of leaves under feet tall; when flowering it can bear a 6 foot flower stalk.