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Astelia nervosa - Hook.f.

Common Name
Family Asteliaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forest and grassland in the montane to sub-alpine zone between latitudes 37 and 47° south[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Astelia nervosa


Astelia nervosa

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Astelia nervosa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. montana. A. nervosa montana.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[46, 61, 128, 173].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A soft brown fibre is obtained from the leaves. It has a variety of uses[173].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a damp humus-rich fertile soil in sun or semi-shade, sheltered from cold drying winds[166, 200]. Also succeeds in clay soils[187]. It only succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[166, 200]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c, but are best when grown in moist maritime gardens[187]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Plants seldom fruit in cultivation[187].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Astelia alpina Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM20 
Astelia grandis Perennial2.0 -  LMHSNM201
Astelia solandri Perennial2.0 -  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Hook.f.

Botanical References

44200

Links / References

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Subject : Astelia nervosa  
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