Aciphylla squarrosa
| Aciphylla squarrosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Aciphylla |
| Species: | A. squarrosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aciphylla squarrosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Aciphylla squarrosa, or common speargrass, is a species of Aciphylla endemic to New Zealand.[2][3]
Description
[edit]It is a woody perennial herb that forms dense and robust tussocks with a central flowering stem.[4][3] The basal leaves are bluish-grey, and divide three times to form long and pointed spikes.[4] They are hairless, and have a finely toothed margin.
It can grow up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall.[3]
It produces 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) green or yellow symmetric flowers from October to December, and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) dry fruits from November to March.[3][4]
Range
[edit]It can be found on the North and South Islands [3] from Mount Hikurangi to the Kaikoura Ranges,[3] as well as some offshore islands like Mana Island.[2] It grows in habitats ranging from coastal to montane.[3]
Ecology
[edit]Aciphylla squarrosa is the host plant for Lyperobius huttoni, the Speargrass Weevil.
Etymology
[edit]Squarrosa comes from the Latin for 'rough'.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Aciphylla squarrosa contains the following varieties:
Conservation status
[edit]In 2023, it was classified as At Risk – Declining.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Aciphylla squarrosa". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Citizen science observations for Aciphylla squarrosa at iNaturalist
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Aciphylla squarrosa var. squarrosa". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ a b c "Aciphylla squarrosa - The University of Auckland". www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
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