The main cell type of the vascular tissue system present in roots are tracheids.

[7] Rhizomes in Astelia create large intermingled structures that overtake the surrounding environment and vegetation.

[12] In the APG IV system, the family is placed in the order Asparagales, part of the monocot clade.

[16] Due to its prevalence on the eastern Gondwanan landmasses, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, the Asteliaceae family has been classified as a "Austral" floristic element.

[8] Astelia, which originated in New Zealand around 27.1 million years ago, is the largest and oldest genus in the family Asteliaceae.

[10] 30 of the 38 species in Asteliaceae are found in Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina which all border the South Pacific Ocean.

[9] Species within the genus Astelia have been discovered in Australia, New Zealand, South America, the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean, and 7 archipelagos in the Pacific, showing that it is the biggest and most extensively dispersed of the four genera of Asteliaceae.

[8] Species within the genus Astelia are able to live in many different habitats such as coastal and lowland woods, low level swamps, alpine fellfields, and high elevation bogs.

They grow in a variety of environments including lowland riparian valleys and alpine fellfields.

Neoastelia is a genus made of just a single species of terrestrial herbs found only in temperate rainforests in northeastern New South Wales.

[8] Although taxa within Asteliaceae are found across various Gondwanan landmasses, which include Australia, New Zealand, and South America, and the possible Cretaceous beginnings for the family, the Tertiary saw the emergence of new genera.

The range that Asteliaceae covers is extensive but typically an area with a constant supply of moisture will increase growth.

[6] Some prefer low habitats where cushion plants commonly grow, which encompasses areas like the subalpine, alpines, and bogs.

[10] For example, if the plant fell on the ground, it would not be affected and would continue growing for a long duration of time.