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Astelia solandri - Cunn.

Common Name
Family Asteliaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet lowland forests, where it is epiphytic on tall trees[173, 200].
Range New Zealand
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Astelia solandri


Astelia solandri

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Astelia solandri is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). 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 and prefers well-drained 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil  Stem
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[173]. The base of the flowering stem can be eaten[173]. An oil in the seed contains 25% gamma-linoleic acid, this compares with only 9% in evening primrose oil[153].

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

Oil

None known

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[200]. An epiphyte, growing in the branches of tall trees[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, perhaps even lower if given shelter from cold drying winds[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (North Island, South Island)

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 nervosa Perennial0.5 8-11  LMHSNM203

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Cunn.

Botanical References

44200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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Subject : Astelia solandri  
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