Re: Obscure Astelias

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, graminea, hemichrysa,
> linearis, 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!
> 
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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