Silversword alliance

Taxobox
name = Silversword alliance

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Dubautia linearis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
tribus = Heliantheae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Argyroxiphium"
"Dubautia"
"Wilkesia"
"Silversword alliance" refers to a adaptive radiation of over 50 species in the composite or sunflower family (Asteraceae). The group is endemic to Hawaii, and is derived from a single immigrant to the islands.

The silversword alliance is named for its most famous and visually striking members, the silverswords. There are three species of silverswords and two greenswords in the genus "Argyroxiphium", confined to the islands of Maui and Hawaii, and two species of "Wilkesia" (iliau) on Kauai. The bulk of the species are placed in the genus "Dubautia", which is widespread on all the main islands.

Similar species frequently occur in the same habitat and are often difficult to tell apart. Hybrids frequently occur between "Dubautia" species, and between "Dubautia" and "Argyroxiphium". As a result, there is some disagreement over the number of species.