Astelia chathamica
| Astelia chathamica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asteliaceae |
| Genus: | Astelia |
| Species: | A. chathamica
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| Binomial name | |
| Astelia chathamica | |
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
[edit]- ^ "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.
- New Zealand J. Bot. 4: 228 1966
- The Plant List entry
- Kew World Checklist entry
- San Marcos Growers entry
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