Astelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astelia |
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| Astelia hemichrysa in Réunion | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asteliaceae |
| Genus: | Astelia Banks & Sol. ex R.Br. |
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Astelia is a group of flowering plants that belong to the plant family Asteliaceae. These plants are known for growing from underground stems called rhizomes. They are also perennials, which means they live for more than two years.
You can find Astelia plants on many islands in the Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans. They also grow in Australia and the very southern tip of South America. A lot of the different types of Astelia plants are found only in New Zealand.
What are Astelia Plants?
Astelia plants are often found in forests, wet swampy areas, and even in cold, high mountain regions. Sometimes, they grow on other plants or trees without harming them. This is a special way of growing called being an epiphyte.
Where Do Astelia Plants Grow?
These plants are very good at adapting to different places. In New Zealand, where many Astelia types live, you might see them growing on giant Kauri trees. They can also be found on the ground in damp forests or among low-growing plants in the mountains.
Different Kinds of Astelia
There are many different types of Astelia plants. Scientists group them into smaller categories to help understand them better. Here are a few examples of these interesting plants:
- Astelia alpina is sometimes called Pineapple Grass or Silver Astelia. It grows in eastern Australia.
- Astelia hemichrysa is a type found on the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.
- Astelia solandri and Astelia trinervia are two kinds that grow in New Zealand.
- Astelia banksii is another New Zealand native.
- Astelia neocaledonica is special because it's only found in New Caledonia.
- Astelia hastata and Astelia microsperma are also from New Zealand.
- Astelia montana grows in Fiji and Vanuatu.
- Astelia australiana, known as Tall Astelia, is found in Victoria, Australia.
- Astelia chathamica, or Silver Spear, comes from the Chatham Islands of New Zealand.
- Astelia fragrans is a common New Zealand plant, also called Bush Flax or Bush Lily.
- Astelia nervosa is known as Mountain Astelia and grows in New Zealand's mountains.
- Astelia psychrocharis is another type of Pineapple Grass found near Mount Kosciusko in Australia.
- Astelia menziesiana and Astelia waialealae are types of Astelia that grow in Hawaii.
- Astelia pumila is found in colder regions like western Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Astelia para niños
