h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think the Silversword [found only on the slopes of Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii] is in the daisy family. Somehow, your picture of the Sickle Tacky reminded me of it. is Crassula in the daisy family, perhaps?

Hello and thanks for commenting! No, Crassulas are in their own family, the Crassulaceae. Over here in South Africa there are a number of succulent members of the daisy family as well.

Thanks for getting back with an answer.

Hi again! I want to thank you as well for telling me about the silverswords. They in turn make me think of some of the interesting African mountain plants like these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_senecio

(this is a member of the daisy family)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobelia_deckenii

(Lobelias are members of the bellflower family)

Wow, Willem those are sort of alien plants too! They are really remarkable looking.

Those are fascinating, Willem. I had a hanging pot of lobelias on my porch railing last summer, but they looked nothing like the one in the link you gave. It's a big family, and is native only to the Southern Hemisphere. I loved the delicate deep blue-violet blossoms.