Astelia is found on wet peaty ground known as ‘soft camp’. This is a native plant, very common and widespread on white grass flats, dwarf shrub heath and on wet peaty ground. Soft camp is where many vehicles ‘bog’ and is best avoided. The plant is low and makes mats and hard cushions that can be several metres square. Stiff little leaves, sharply pointed, shiny and bright green are no longer than 2cm. Small creamy white flowers appear from November to January.

Sources include:Plants of the Falkland Islands - Ali Liddle 2007, Field Guide to the Plants of the Falkland Islands- Thomas Heller, Rebecca Upston, Richard Lewis, edited by Colin Clubbe

Photographic credits: Robert Maddocks,

Photographs and Images Copyright: The images on this site have been bought under licence or have been used with the permission of their owners. They may not be copied or downloaded in any form without their owner's consent.