About Astelia chathamica (Skottsb.) L.B.Moore
Astelia chathamica, commonly called Chatham Islands kakaha, Moriori flax, or silver spear, is a species of flowering plant in the recently established family Asteliaceae. This evergreen silver-green perennial is native to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, and grows to around 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall. It forms large clumps of sword-shaped leaves, and produces small green flowers and red berries; red berries only develop on female plants. It grows best in partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil with moderate water. It is hardy to temperatures as low as −3 °C (27 °F), but its foliage can be damaged by frost, so it may need some winter protection in colder climates. When grown in cultivation in the United Kingdom, this plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
