2. (noun) coastal astelia, Astelia banksii - a native plant related to the lily with silvery, grass-like, drooping leaves and small, cream flowers. Fruit is reddish purple. Grows on the ground or on rocks.
See also wharawhara
3. (noun) perching lily, Astelia solandri - a plant that grows mainly in trees that has tufted, grass-like, narrow leaves, 1-2 m long, silvery beneath, with three deep grooves. Its flowers are yellowish white, on spreading fingers and the fruit small, round, translucent green to yellow or brown.
E rere, e rere, e te kōtare, ki runga ki te kōwharawhara rūrū ai ō pakikau - ka mate koe i te ua (TKP 1857:4). / Fly, fly, oh kingfisher, onto the perching lily to shake your wings - you'll be affected by the rain.
Synonyms: kōkaha, tākahakaha, kahakaha
