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.
| Astelia chathamica | |
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Scientific classification 
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| 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 (Skottsb.) L.B.Moore
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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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