Astelia menziesiana is a species of plant in the family Asteliaceae that is endemic to the state of Hawaii in the United States. Hawaiian names for the plant are kaluaha, paʻiniu, or puaʻakuhinia. It is a non-woody, clumping plant that grows from 1 to 3 feet in width/height. The plant can grow on tree branches and trunks as an epiphyte or in the ground. Leaves are silvery-green or green on top; undersides may be white, gold or silver. Flowers bloom in long spikes in colors including yellow, purple and red. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Female plants have small orange-yellow berries which are eaten by birds.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Pua'akuhinia being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Astelia argyrocoma
- Astelia hemichrysa
- Astelia solandri
- Astelia banksii
- Astelia chathamica
- Astelia nervosa
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asteliaceae
- Genus
- Astelia
- Species
- Astelia menziesiana
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