''Geranium cuneatum'', or silver geranium, is a medium alpine shrub endemic to the islands of
Hawai'i and
Maui
The island of Maui (; Hawaiian: ) is the second-largest of the islands of the state of Hawaii at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is the largest of Maui County's four islands, which ...
, where it grows in high elevation shrubland near or above the
treeline. Like other geraniums native to Hawai'i, it is known as hinahina in
Hawaiian.
Taxonomy
Four varieties of ''G. cuneatum'' have been described, one of which is found only on the higher slopes of
Haleakalā.
Description
''Geranium cuneatum'' is a many-branched shrub growing 30–100 cm high. Leaves are green or gray and are covered with small hairs for reflecting sunlight.
Flowers are white, sometimes with purple veins.
Distribution and habitat
''Geranium cuneatum'' is endemic to high elevations on the slopes of the volcanoes
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea ( or ; ; abbreviation for ''Mauna a Wākea''); is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. Its peak is above sea level, making it the highest point in the state of Hawaii and second-highest peak of an island on Earth. The peak is ...
,
Mauna Loa,
Hualālai
Hualālai (pronounced in Hawaiian) is an active volcano on the island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the westernmost, third-youngest and the third-most active of the five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii, following Kīlauea a ...
, and
Haleakalā.
It is frequently encountered above the tree line and grows up to at least 3200m elevation on Mauna Kea and Haleakalā.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15336899
cuneatum
Endemic flora of Hawaii
Plants described in 1837
Taxa named by William Jackson Hooker