The Ka'u Silversword is an endangered species that is specific to boggy areas of montane Mauna Loa, which is also where the feral animals, which threaten the plant, like to hang out. The last natural population of the plant is at Kahuku Ranch, which the National Park Service has recently acquired. The plant is being saved from extinction by being cultivated in favorable habitat in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and at Kulani, on the Island of Hawai'i.