Astelia chathamica

Astelia chathamica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asteliaceae
Genus:	Astelia
Species:	A. chathamica
Binomial name
	Astelia chathamica; (Skottsb.) L.B.Moore

Astelia chathamica, the Chatham Islands kakaha, Maori flax, or silver spear, is a species of flowering plant in the recently named family Asteliaceae. It is an evergreen silver-green perennial from the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, growing to about 1.2 m (4 ft) tall. Forming a large clump of sword-shaped leaves, it produces small green flowers and red berries (the latter only on the female plant). It grows best in partial shade and in fertile and well-drained soil with moderate water. The plant is hardy down to −3 °C (27 °F), but the foliage may be damaged by frost, so in colder areas the plant may require some winter protection.

In cultivation in the UK, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.^[1]^[2]

References[]

^ "RHS Plantfinder - Astelia chathamica". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 8. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

This Asparagales article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

[RHSPF-1] "RHS Plantfinder - Astelia chathamica". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

[2] "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 8. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

[1]

[2]