Astelia alpina var. novae-hollandiae
Silver Astelia, Pineapple Grass
Tufted perennial herb forming large mats. Male and female flowers on separate plants.
Additional information
- FamilyAsteliaceae (syn. Liliaceae)
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 30 cm high
- Plant groupingLilies & Irises
- LeavesNarrow leaves 5-40 cm x 0.5-3 cm, covered in white-silvery scales below, long silky hairs at the base.
- Flower colourWhite or greenish-yellow, red berries
- Flowering timeNovember to March
- FlowersOpen cluster of tiny male flowers 3-10 cm long, many-flowered, on stem reaching beyond leaves. Female flowers in a short, few-flowered cluster to 2.5 cm long. Flowers to 6 mm long, sepals longer than petals. Edible oblong berry to 10 mm long.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist to wet soils of alpine and sub alpine bogs. Full sun, semi shade.
- Garden useSuited to cold higher altitude gardens where it would make a delightful foliage plant.
- Commercially availableUnlikely to be available within the Shire of Yarra Ranges
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites. More common outside the Shire boundary.
- Aboriginal Use Food - berries
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Ken Harris ©; 2 Geoff Lay, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 3 Alison Kellow, Mike Bayly ©; 4, 5 Russell Best, Nature Share ©
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