>
> Mr. Thomas:
>
> I read your post on the CP digest.
> Quick question: where does a conservationist (private) go to find
> seed of the Hawaiian Silversword?
>
Well, there are only a few answers to that --USFWS or the black market.
The first is futile and the second I wouldn't recommend (actually, I
don't know of ANY market for it...). If you are speaking of
Argyroxiphium sandwicense, both subspecies are federally protected by the
Endangered Species Act, and since virtually ALL individuals of this
species are on protected Park Service property, it's almost impossible to
legally get/possess these seeds. I'd suggest just being satisifed with
visiting them in their natural habitat or enjoying pictures (see
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu -- there's a link there for native Hawaiian
plant pictures).
Do I 100% agree with the E.S.A.? Well, I'm not sure... but it's the best
we've got to protect many species, so I don't advocate flauntingly
disregarding the law by growing endangered species, esp. flashy,
well-known ones like the silverswords... it's a bad example to those who
don't understand the situation.
There are other nonlisted species which may be similar that you could
grow (however, ironically, some of these are rarer and less accessible
than, at least, the Haleakala silversword [endemic to the National Park
where I'm based]). I don't know of any commercial source, nor do I know
where exactly to get seed of related non-threatened species outside of
protected areas, or I'd send you a few myself.
A possible source of info is Ho'olawa Farms (P.O. Box 731, Haiku, Maui,
HI 96708 (808) 572-4835 - be conscious of the time difference if you
call so you don't wake them at a ridiculous hour!). They are very
conscientious and have excellent quality Hawaiian native plants. Don't
know if they ship, though (it's a big deal to ship out of Hawaii; must
get inspected, can't ship ANY soil, etc.)
I'd recommend getting the new (Nov '96) book "Growing Native Hawaiian
Plants" by Heidi Bornhorst (ISBN 1-57306-009-7; The Bess Press, P.O. Box
22388, Honolulu, HI 96823, $14.95) for further info on the subject.
Aloha!
-Philip Thomas
> -AJHicks
> Wonk
> Socorro, NM
>
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip A. Thomas - thomasp@maui.com OR halesci@hawaii.edu
P.O. Box 1272 - Puunene, Maui, Hawaii 96784 USA
voice: (808) 572-9306 ext. 3233 fax: (808) 572-1304
http://www.maui.com/~thomasp/PhilipAnthonyThomas
## Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent ##
## the views of USGS/BRD, RCUH, CPSU, UH, or anyone besides just me! ##