Biology: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
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
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
Aciphylla squarrosa is the host plant for Lyperobius huttoni, the Speargrass Weevil.
Etymology
Squarrosa comes from the Latin for 'rough'.[3]
Taxonomy
Aciphylla squarrosa contains the following varieties:
Conservation status
In 2023, it was classified as At Risk – Declining.[3]
References
- ↑ "Aciphylla squarrosa" (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/837240-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Citizen science observations for Aciphylla squarrosa at iNaturalist
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Aciphylla squarrosa var. squarrosa" (in en). https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/aciphylla-squarrosa-var-squarrosa/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Aciphylla squarrosa - The University of Auckland". https://www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/seed-plants-flowering/apiaceae/aciphylla-squarrosa.html.
Wikidata ☰ Q15559167 entry
 |
