Silver Spear

Botanical name: Astelia chathamica
Synonym: Astelia nervosa var. chathamica
Common name(s): Silver Spear, Chatham Island Astelia, Chatham Island Kakaha, Moriori Flax

About:
A dramatic silver-leaved perennial endemic to the Chatham Islands, valued for its large flax-like foliage and striking metallic sheen. This robust species forms bold architectural clumps and is one of the most distinctive native plants of the Chatham Islands flora.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally on forest floors, coastal cliffs, rocky bluffs, lakeshore scarps, stream margins, scrub, and swampy areas.

Growing environment:
Partial shade to full sun, Moist soils, Sheltered sites & Free-draining fertile soils.
Thrives in consistently moist conditions with protection from severe frost and drying winds.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to the Chatham Islands.
Naturally found on Chatham Island and Pitt Island.

Height:
Approximately 0.8–1.5 m tall

Width:
Forms large dense clumps approximately 1–2 m across

Flowering:
Spring to early summer
Produces pale green to greenish-white flowers from October to December.

Fruiting:
Late summer to winter
Female plants produce orange to red berries from February to July.

Uses:

• Architectural landscape planting
• Coastal and subtropical gardens
• Native feature planting
• Understorey mass planting
• Wetland edge planting
• Chatham Islands restoration projects

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A large evergreen tufted perennial forming dense clumps of arching sword-like foliage.

Leaves:
Leaves are broad, silver-green, and covered with fine silvery hairs giving a metallic sheen. Older leaves often develop peeling translucent surface layers.

Flowers:
Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male flower stalks are thick with dark green scented flowers, while female flowers are paler greenish-white.

Fruit:
Female plants produce fleshy orange to red berries attractive to birds.

Ecology:
An important Chatham Islands forest and coastal species adapted to moist sheltered habitats. Fruits are dispersed by native birds and the dense foliage provides habitat for invertebrates and shelter within coastal forest systems.

Threats:
Historically heavily impacted by browsing stock and feral animals, with many natural populations now restricted to protected or inaccessible sites.

Cultural uses:
Known traditionally as kakaha or Moriori flax, this species is culturally significant within the Chatham Islands and associated with traditional coastal and forest landscapes.

How to grow:
Best grown in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or sheltered sun. Appreciates regular moisture and protection from hard frosts when young.

Propagation:
Can be propagated from fresh seed or by division of mature clumps.

Garden value:
A spectacular foliage plant highly valued for its shimmering silver leaves and bold tropical appearance. Excellent for creating dramatic structure in shaded gardens, coastal landscapes, and large native plantings.