'Ahinahina in Bloom

The 'ahinahina flower stalk is normally 2 to 6 feet tall, but can reach up to 8 feet. Hundreds of one to two inches wide purplish blossoms cover the stalk. As with other desert plants, having flower atop a tall stalk may be an adaptation to attract pollinators and later disperse seeds on the wind.

The number of blooming plants per year varies. Some year there may be no 'ahinahina in bloom, while other year there may be over 6,000 blooming throughout the Haleakala National Park.