Swamp Astelia (Astelia grandis)

Swamp Astelia (Astelia grandis)
(c) Chris Ecroyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Ecroyd

At a glance

Lifecycle
Perennial (hardy)
Exposure
Full sun

Cultivation

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

Propagation

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.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat.

Material uses

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

Habitat

Swampy, ± peaty soils from lowland to montane areas in North and South Islands, south to latitude 45°s

Native range

New Zealand

Same genus