Astelia solandri -

Family:	Asteliaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2
Synonyms:
Range:	New Zealand

Astelia solandri () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
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 solandri 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 solandri prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Wet lowland forests, where it is epiphytic on tall trees[173, 200].

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[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.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
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].

• Fruit -
• Oil -
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

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

None known

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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