Re: Obscure Astelias

response embedded below...

--- Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
> Tim Longville wrote:
> > 
> > Margaret - Quick addition to my earlier message. A
> friend's just sent
> > me an e-mail list of additional
> even-greater-obscurities! - which
> > perhaps Moira or Tim can throw some light on. (The
> friend sent no
> > details, merely a list of names. Given his nature,
> I'm sure, if he'd
> > had details, he'd have sent'em - at length!)
> > 
> > The friend says that further species include (deep
> breath):
> > 
> > Aa. argyrocoma, banksii, degeneri, forbesii,

A. forbesii is likely Hawaiian as Forbes has many spp.
named after him in that archipelago.

> graminea, hemichrysa,
> > linearis, menziesiana,

See above for A. menziesiana.

 pumila, psychrocharis (sic
> - but perhaps a
> > typo?), trinervia, veratroides and (wait for it:
> is he pulling my leg?
> > or is this a bit of genuine Maori?) waialealae!

Genuine Polynesian language: Hawaiian. Waialealae
(sp?) is the name of the wettest spot on Earth, a
5000-foot mountain on Kauai, whence surely this
Astelia species must hail.

cheers
Jason

> > 
> Hi Tim
> I think we have to start with a lesson about the
> genus. Astelia has
> about 25 species, mostly around the Pacific, but
> with outliers in
> Falkland Is, Reunion and Mauritius. There are 13 NZ
> species all endemic.
> 
> Of the list you sent only four occur here AA
> banksii, graminea, linearis
> and trinerva. I have no information at all about the
> remainder except
> that waialealae is I am sure not related to any
> Maori word, though it
> does have a slight Polynesian flavour (Just possibly
> Haiwaian maybe).
> All for locals as it happens are listed in the
> Gardener's Encyclopedia
> of NZ native Plants, so presumably someone has at
> least tried to
> cultivate them.
> 
> A banksii (Wharawhara) Lowland and coastal forests
> of North Island also
> sea cliffs. Clumps 1-2m tall of rather narrow
> silver-green leaves, Ripe
> berries green flushed magenta. Tolerates very dry
> conditions and will
> grow in sun or shade.
> 
> A graminea Looks like a clump of grass with rather
> leathery narrow
> silvery-bronze leaves. Only about 40cm high a
> groupof plants makes an
> attractive groundcover. Also suitable for a rock
> garden or container.
> Found in grassy alpine areas in northern South
> Island, it will not
> tolerate warm humid conditions. A sunny situation
> produces the best
> foliage. A note says "Not widely available"
> 
> A linearis An alpine plant of boggy places and needs
> a moist peaty soil.
> Its range is right through the South Island and down
> to the Auckland
> Isles, so should be entirely winter-hardy. It is one
> of the smallest
> Astelias with leaves just 10cm long. They are
> slightly silvery and form
> low tuft-like mats. "Limited availability"
> 
> A trinervia (Kauri grass) Mainly in northern Kauri
> forests, so likely
> not to stand much frost. Green flax-like leaves
> (flaxas in Phormium) 1-2
> m long and suitable for dry areas in sun or shade.
> "limited
> availaility".
> 
> Well, that's as far as _I_ can take you.
> 
> Moira
> -- 
> Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
> Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New
> Zealand)
> 


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