Where found:

• Epiphytic, coastal and lowland forest

• A robust, tufted epiphyte, often growing in large colonies
  
• Leaves (60-170 x 3-5-7cm) are dull green on the top surface and have a black base, the underside of the leaves are more bronzed and permanently clad in dark-centered scales
  
• The mass of organic matter that often forms at the base of the plant provides a habitat for spleenwort ferns
  
• Similar to Astelia solandri but usually shorter, broader leaves with distinctive black base