Astelia | |
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Astelia hemichrysa in Réunion | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asteliaceae |
Genus: | Astelia Banks & Sol. ex R.Br. |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Astelia is a genus of flowering plants in the recently named family Asteliaceae. They are rhizomatous tufted perennials native to various islands in the Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans, as well as to Australia and to the southernmost tip of South America. A significant number of the known species are endemic to New Zealand.[2][3] The species generally grow in forests, swamps and amongst low alpine vegetation; occasionally they are epiphytic.[4]