Astelia australiana
Tall Astelia
Robust tufted perennial lily spreading from strong, branching underground stems to form large colonies. Male and female flowers on different plants.
Additional information
- FamilyAsteliaceae (syn. Liliaceae)
- StoreyLower storey
- Size1-1.8 m x 0.5-1 m
- Plant groupingLilies & Irises
- LeavesNarrow strap leaves 0.6-2.3 m x 5-10 cm, silky silver covering below.
- Flower colourFemale - green, male - maroon
- Flowering timeNovember to February
- FlowersStout flowering stem with 5-10 spikes 10-20 cm long of many small open flowers, male flowers have strong bad smell. Large leafy bract below each spike. Round orange berries to 10 cm.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatYes
- Growing conditionsHumus rich waterlogged soils at the heads of gullies and stream margins in rainforest and mountain ash forests. Dappled to full shade. A rare plant only found in Victoria, with limited locations within the Shire.
- Garden useMoist shaded gardens under trees and in ferneries. May be useful as a container plant.
- Commercially availableSpecialist Australian plant nursery
- Conservation statusVulnerable in Victoria to continued depletion. Endemic and known from 2 sites in Victoria, one of which is within the Shire.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 M D Crisp ©, Australian National Botanic Gardens; 2 Andre Messina, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 3 Jeff Jeanes, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 4 Neville Walsh, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 5 Marilyn Bull ©
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