Aciphylla colensoi explained

Aciphylla colensoi is a species of Aciphylla, commonly known as giant speargrass, Spaniard, or its Māori-language name Maori: taramea.^[1] Individual plants may be up to 90cm (40inches) in diameter and half as high, and consist of sharp spines, all pointing out from the centre. Yellow flowers may also be present, located on long, strong stems. A. colensoi can be found in both main islands of New Zealand, typically in altitudes from 900to.

Taxonomy & naming

Joseph Hooker first described the plant in 1864. The specific epithet, colensoi, honours William Colenso.

Distribution

It is found on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.^[2]

Conservation

The decline of A. colensoi due to browsing from rabbits was noted as early as 1883.^[3]

External links

• Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture article on A. colensoi

Notes and References

1. Web site: Plant use details . Māori Plant Use . Landcare Research . 3 November 2020.
2. Web site: Aciphylla colensoi Hook.f. Plants of the World Online Kew Science. Plants of the World Online. 2020-01-17.
3. Norbury, D. (1996.) "The effect of rabbits on conservation values." Science for Conservation 34. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation.