Common Name: Pineapple Grass

General Information

Astelia alpina is an evergreen, perennial plant forming clusters of tough, leathery, grass-like leaves rom 5 - 40cm long. The plant spreads at the roots and can form dense mats of growth[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It would be suitable for used as an ornamental and could be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania

Habitat

Mountain moorlands, especially in boggy situations, in the alpine and sub-alpine zones[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant usually of higher elevations n the warm temperate zone - it can experience quite severe winters and is known to survive temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[]. It may be difficult to maintain at low elevations and would be best grown in colder climates[].
Species in this genus generally require a damp humus-rich fertile soil in sun or semi-shade, sheltered from cold drying winds[]. It should be suited to moist, peaty soils in full sun or partial shade[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[, , , ]. The red, oblong berries are around 12mm in diameter[].

Leaf base[, ]. No more details.

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

In suitable conditions the plant forms dense mats of growth and can be used as a ground cover[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].