Asteliaceae FAMILY

Astelia banksii

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Astelia banksii is a clump-forming evergreen perennial plant, spreading by short, thick rhizomes; it produces rosettes of sword-shaped leaves around 100 - 250cm long and 30 - 45mm wide, with flowering stems up to 100cm long[ 44 Title Flora of New Zealand. Publication Author Allan. H. H. Website http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml Publisher Government Printer, Wellington. Year 1961 ISBN - Description The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeNew Zealand - North Island

HabitatCoastal habitats, or occasionally on inland cliffs exposed to winds off the sea[ 44 Title Flora of New Zealand. Publication Author Allan. H. H. Website http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml Publisher Government Printer, Wellington. Year 1961 ISBN - Description The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version. ].