Astelia nervosa -

Family:	Asteliaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Width:	1.5
Synonyms:	A. montana. A. nervosa montana.
Range:	New Zealand.

Astelia nervosa () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m and a width of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 9.
The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Astelia nervosa will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Astelia nervosa prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Astelia nervosa can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Forest and grassland in the montane to sub-alpine zone between latitudes 37 and 47° south[44].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[46, 61, 128, 173].

• Fruit -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
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[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

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

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of New Zealand.
Allan. H. H.
Author: Allan. H. H.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work, in 3 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats.
Date of Publication : 1961

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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