Silverswords and greenswords (argyroxiphium) are closely related to dubautia and wilkesia, and are adapted to mid to high elevation environments. They are able to hybridize with species of dubautia. On Hawai'i separate species occur on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Interestingly the Mauna Loa (AKA "Ka'u") silversword sometimes lives in very wet bogs, whereas the Mauna Kea silversword lives in extremely dry dusty ash and cinders - an amazing contrast. Decades of grazing, trampling and rooting by sheep, cattle, goats and pigs reduced both species to a handful of individuals, and they were almost lost. (On Maui one of the two greensword species has been lost) Since the 1970's thousands have been raised in greenhouses and planted in various locations.