kahakaha

Astelia hastata | kahakaha, tank lily

This magnificent epiphyte, New Zealand's largest, thrives both on trees and in dry shade on the ground, logs, rocks, and cliffs. Its stiff, long V-shaped leaves, colored lime or bronze-green with a black base, channel water into a central reservoir. Male and female plants are needed for fruit, which ripens from yellow to red after creamy flowers appear from January to March. These fruits, with their seeds, are a vital food source for tūī and kererū, aiding seed dispersal, while its nectar feeds native bats. Though not a typical garden plant, Collospermum creates a dramatic visual impact in various settings, from tree forks to hanging baskets.