14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Mobile
A Silversword in bloom while hiking Haleakala Crater on Maui
Silverswords habitat is at an elevation of 7000 - 10,000 ft in soil composed of volcanic cinders and live between 3 and 90 years as a low, round bush. At the end of their life, they send up a flowering stalk that can grow over 6 feet tall within a few weeks and produce up to 600 flower heads. They only flower once and die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind.
Photo Detail
Date Taken: | 05.2016 |
Date Uploaded: | 10.2016 |
Photo Location: | Kula, Hawaii, United States of America |
Camera: | Nexus 6P |
Copyright: | © Jennifer Smith |