Herb latin name: Astelia solandri


Family: Asteliaceae



Edible parts of Astelia solandri:

Fruit - raw. Sweet, fleshy and juicy, it is pleasant to eat. The base of the flowering stem can be eaten. An oil in the seed contains 25% gamma-linoleic acid, this compares with only 9% in evening primrose oil.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Perennial

Height:
2 m
(6 1/2 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Wet lowland forests, where it is epiphytic on tall trees.

Propagation of Astelia solandri:

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse. Germination can be very slow, sometimes taking more than 12 months. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade for at least the first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer once they are 15cm or more tall. Division in spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Wet lowland forests, where it is epiphytic on tall trees.

Medicinal use of Astelia solandri:

None known

Known hazards of Astelia solandri:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.