Practical
Plants

Astelia grandis

a perennial member of the Astelia genus in the family Asteliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Astelia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[1]. The orange-coloured fruit is about 10mm in diameter[3].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A soft brown fibre is obtained from the leaves. It has a variety of uses[5][6].

Product or use
Fibre

Environment

Range
New Zealand
Habitat
Swampy, ± peaty soils from lowland to montane areas in North and South Islands, south to latitude 45°s[4]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse. Germination can be very slow, sometimes taking more than 12 months. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade for at least the first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer once they are 15cm or more tall. Division in spring[2].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a damp humus-rich fertile soil in sun or semi-shade, sheltered from cold drying winds[2]. Prefers a moist soil and a cool position[3]. This species is not very cold-hardy. It tolerates temperatures down to about -3°cc, and possibly even lower for short periods[3]. It might succeed outdoors in the milder parts of the country. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  5. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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