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gem icon Silversword Plants [Suggest Edits]

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Take this short detour from the Halemau'u Trail for your chance to see a large number of the extraordinary silversword plants concentrated in one place. One of the world's rarest plants, silverswords only grow in a few locations on Hawaii and only between 6,000-10,000 ft in elevation. The silversword is a relative of the common sunflower- which makes more sense when you see it in bloom. Stay on the trail to avoid damaging these endangered plants, their roots or the fragile cryptobiotic soil crust.

All-Day Hike: It takes about 5 miles of moderately strenuous hiking from the Halemau'u Trailhead/Overlook on the Halemau'u Trail to reach the Silversword Loop. The greater part of the 5 mile return trip is steeply uphill.

Gem Type: Other

Shared by:
Megan W

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Jul 10, 2022
Scott Crane
Sep 19, 2021
Shelly Dee
Feb 3, 2021
Tom Herr
The plants stand out neon-like on the moonscape. Many small plants this time of year.
Jul 7, 2019
Ana Ibáñez
Aug 11, 2018
Katie O'Malley
Dec 28, 2017
Jing Xie
Apr 21, 2017
Danny Phillips
Feb 1, 2017
Kristina Fischer

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Shared by Megan W on Apr 28, 2016. All Page Views: 892. Last Month: 5.
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