Astelia nervosa
| Astelia nervosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 5' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Astelia nervosa
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[1].
Cultivation: Requires a damp humus-rich fertile soil in sun or semi-shade, sheltered from cold drying winds[2][1]. Also succeeds in clay soils[3]. It only succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[2][1].
Plants are hardy to about -10°c, but are best when grown in moist maritime gardens[3].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Plants seldom fruit in cultivation[3].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Forest and grassland in the montane to sub-alpine zone between latitudes 37 and 47° south[4].
Edibility: Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat[5][6][7][8].
Usage: A soft brown fibre is obtained from the leaves. It has a variety of uses[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: A. montana. A. nervosa montana.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.