Silverswords and lobeliads: Restoring Hawaii’s marvels of evolution

The native silversword and lobeliad lineages of Hawaii are the world’s most spectacular examples of plant adaptive radiation, in which single colonizing ancestors gave rise to a stunning diversity of descendant species.

Yet, the two lineages now include some of the world’s most critically imperiled plants.

Focusing on the Ka‘u silversword and Pele lobeliad as examples, join Dr. Robert Robichaux at 7 p.m. June 23 at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as he discusses the highly collaborative, large-scale endangered plant reintroduction efforts on Hawaii Island.

Robichaux is a distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona and founder and president of the board of trustees of the Hawaiian Silversword Foundation. His presentation illustrates the value of integrating the reintroduction efforts with ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts across large landscapes.

The presentation at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors in June.

All programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, and a $2 donation helps support park programs.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/havo.