Some plant ID photos I took today on Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world from sea floor to summit. Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mauna Kea is one of the few subtropical alpine environments in the world. Our team is embarking on a native plant restoration project that is being proposed to help mitigate impact on the native alpine flora. While there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope project on the summit, the areas below the summit where the visitors station and ranger station can be found is also impacted. Anytime a parking lot or pathway is established flora and fauna are effected. As the plant scientists involved we have been tasked with identifying, counting and establishing a re-planting plan. As part of the native plant restoration part of the federal funding 're-planting' is defined as - Once planted in the field must have an 80% survival rate at the 5 year mark. While it should make for a challenging project I am honored to work with these plants and look forward to sharing our progress.

Mauna Kea silversword(Argyroxiphium sandwicense)

ʻŌhelo (Vaccinium reticulatum)

Kalamoho (Pellaea ternifolia)

Pūkiawe (Leptecophylla tameiameiae)

Āweoweo (Chenopodium oahuense)

Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Pili uka (Trisetum glomeratum)

Aloha and thank you for your interest

Plant ID photos- Subtropical Alpine Plant Restoration Project Day 1 - Mauna Kea Hawaii