Botanical name:

Astelia trinervia

Common name(s):

Kauri grass

About:

Astelia trinervia is a clump-forming evergreen perennial plant that spreads by means of short, thick rhizomes. This interesting species produces attractive rosettes of sword-shaped leaves that typically measure between 100 and 300cm in length and have a width ranging from 20 to 45mm. In addition to its foliage, it also develops flowering stems that can grow anywhere from 45 to 200cm long, adding to the plant's overall presence in its natural habitat.

Natural habitat:

Located mainly in the warm temperate Kauri (A. australis) forests of northern New Zealand, where it experiences mild, moist winters and moist summers. It does experience frosts and can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, possibly even lower if given shelter from cold drying winds.

Growing environment:

Sand, Sun, Shade & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

In the North Island common from Te Paki to near Awakino in the West and Tauranga in the East. In the South Island known only from North West Nelson

Height: 2m

Flowering:

March – June with a Red/Pink coloured flowers.

Fruiting:

July – May with orange berries.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Forests & Containers

How to grow:

Can be grown from fresh seed or division. Germination can be very slow, sometimes taking more than 12 months.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though