Astelia (Chatham Islands Astelia) Astelia chathamica
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asteliaceae
Genus: Astelia
Species: Astelia chathamica
Common name: Silver Spear, Kakaha, Chatham Islands Astelia.
This plant is an astelia from the wet, peaty soils in the Chatham Islands. One of the most distinctive species of Astelias with broad stiff, erect flax-like silver leaves (to 2m high by 10cm wide), drooping at the tips. The leaves are covered with a clear pellicle giving it a silvery sheen.
It flowers in October and November, producing a large white inflorescence, followed by bright orange 1x1 cm berry fruits in February to June. The seeds are black and glossy. It grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1.5m.
The upper surface of a leaf
The underside of a leaf.
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