Common Name:

General Information

Astelia nervosa is an evergreen, perennial plant forming a dense cluster of stiff, arched, spear-shaped leaves around 50cm tall.
The plant is traditionally harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand - North and South Islands.

Habitat

Forest and grassland in the montane to sub-alpine zone between latitudes 37 and 47° south[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A soft brown fibre is obtained from the leaves. It has a variety of uses, including as a stuffing for pillows and for making paper[, ].

The midrib of the leaf is used in hat making[].

The red juice of the berries has been used as a cosmetic for colouring the cheeks[].

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[].