Perching lily, Silver astelia, Pineapple grass
Astelia alpina

Family: Asteliaceae

What it is like

A tufted herb. It has stiff leaves which form a rosette giving it an appearance like pineapple. The leaves are long and narrow and have channels along them. They are about 20 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The leaves are green above and silver underneath. It spreads by rhizomes. The flower are greenish and in spikes at the end of the stalk in the centre of the leaves. The fruit is a bright red round berry. They are about 12 mm long in the heart of the tuft. They contain 5 black shiny seeds. These are edible.

There are about 25 Astelia species.

Where it is found

It is a cool temperate alpine plant. It grows in bogs and on the edge of mountain pools. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Tasmanian Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The base of the leaves is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by division.

Plants flower in May.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Funckia alpina (R. Br.) Kuntze;