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Herbs & Plants

Aciphylla squarrosa

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Botanical Name : Aciphylla squarrosa
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Aciphylla
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Apiales

Common Name: Speargrass,Taramea, Spaniard
Aciphylla squarrosa is known as “kurikuri” by Maori.

Habitat :Aciphylla squarrosa is native to New Zealand. It is found from sea-level to montane areas in North and South Islands to latitude 41° 30′ south.

Description:
Aciphylla squarrosa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). It is a large speargrass with stiff rigid leaves and a spiny flower stalk.It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jun to July.Flower colours are Green & Yellow. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is not self-fertile. The flower spikes occur in summer and grow up to 2m tall.
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USDA hardiness zone : 4-8

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Cultivation:
Requires a perfectly drained gritty soil in full sun. Easily grown in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Hardy to about -10°c according to one report whilst another says it is hardy to about -15°c. Dioecious but female plants have occasional male flowers. Male and female plants must normally be grown if seed is required. The flowers are sweetly scented.
Propagation:
Seed – best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a greenhouse in late winter or early spring. Germination can be very slow. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Edible Uses: 
Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.
Edible Uses: Gum; Gum.

Root – cooked. Aromatic. A very good taste. The resin is used as a chewing gum. Shoots and young stems. No further details.

Medicinal Uses: Not yet known.
Other Uses:.Gum; Gum…..The plant yields a semi-transparent resinous gum that is edible and also used in perfumery.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aciphylla+squarrosa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aciphylla
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=1471
http://findaplant.co.nz/2011/06/08/featured-plant-aciphylla-squarrosa/

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