genus

Silverswords

Argyroxiphium

Field notes

Argyroxiphium is a small genus of plants in the family Asteraceae. Its members are known by the common names silversword or greensword due to their long, narrow leaves and the silvery hairs on some species. The silverswords belong to a larger radiation of over 30 species, including the physically different genera Dubautia and Wilkesia. This grouping is often referred to as the silversword alliance. Botanist P. H. Raven referred to this radiation as "the best example of adaptive radiation in plants".

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Range

United States

Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided

Key traits

Layer
Shrubs

From USDA PLANTS.

Top native silverswords All

Native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.