Astelia nivicola Cockayne ex Cheeseman

Colonies consisting of ± erect tufts. Lvs keeled throughout but easily flattened even just above sheath; sheath thickly covered with scales but nerves visible in older lvs; lamina adaxially ± green with long-persistent pellicle and us. one main costa on each side of midrib; abaxial surface thickly felted between and often over the (6)–7–∞ nerves on each side of midrib. Infl. simple to much-branched, the raceme-axes stout in relation to fl.-size, us. tapering. Fls small; tepals 3–4–(5) × 1.5–2 mm., spreading and ± recurved, often tending to twist spirally. Ovary 3-locular, elongate. Fr. subglobose, reddish orange.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Feb.–Apr.